German American 18 carat anker chronometer Circa 1879

Pocket watch with power reserve
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A quality 1A pocket watch rarity with an anker chronometer and power reserve, assembled in New York, the United States of America, circa 1879. This watch features an à goutte (waterdrop shaped) 18 carat gold case and an enamel dial which features an outer minute and hour track with Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and steel hands. The numbered top quality movement is fitted with an early A.Lange & Söhne anker chronometer escapement, a gold lever, a gold escape wheel and a diamond end  stone.
The case and movement bear matching numbers and the dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Weight: 172 g
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Signed: A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte B Dresden
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The item presented here features an extremely rare A. Lange & Söhne movement in anker chronometer quality. Lange & Söhne produced 52 of these rare movements in 1870, the majority of which were sold to Schumacher in New York without cases. This watch was cased and sold in the USA at a much later date, as can be seen from the design of the matching numbered original case.
Schumacher & Co. was an active American importer, merchant and trade entity operating in New York City during the late 19^th century. Once the high grade movements safely cleared customs, Schumacher distributed them to local New York watchmakers, jewellers, or case manufacturers. These local craftsmen would build custom gold or silver cases to house the mechanisms locally.