French watch with an unusual constructed chronograph Circa 1870

Gold open faced pocket watch with “fly back”-function by Frédéric Rötig
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A French very fine and rare gentleman’s pocket watch with an unusual constructed chronograph and “fly back”-function, circa 1870.
18 carat rose gold, tiered, polished case with engraved gold dome “F. Rötig Constr. de Chronomètres”, pusher for “fly back”-function at “2” and coaxial pusher for activating the chronograph within the pendant. Signed enamel dial with radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds, centre seconds, outer chronograph scale 0-300 and gold spade hands. 2/3 plate movement, frosted, gilt, with “Inventeur“-chronograph mechanism invented by Rötig, gold chatoned, lever escapement, large gold screw comp. balance, fine florally engraved balance cock and diamond endstone on balance.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 122 g
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Signed: F. Rötig, Havre, “Inventeur”
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Rötig, Frédéric, French watchmaker
Rötig, Frédéric (1829-1905) was a clock and chronometer maker based in Le Havre, in 1869 he patented an improvement in the construction of pocket watches . He advertised his watches with the title “Constructeur de Chronomètres” and “Inventeur”. He was also ” Horloger de la Marine ” in Le Havre. His shop was located on the Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, later at 51 Rue de Paris.
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“fly back”-function
This complicated mechanism in the movement of a chronograph allows the stop hand to be set to zero instantly while the time is being measured with just one push of the button. After releasing the trigger, a new measurement begins immediately. The otherwise necessary steps “stop”, “zero” and “start” are combined into a single one.