Heavy Swiss 14 carat gold pocket chronometer Circa 1900

Gold precision watch of a Freemason
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A numbered precision pocket watch of a Freemason made by Audemars Frères in Le Brassus & Genève, Switzerland, circa 1900. The open faced case of this watch was crafted from 14 carat gold, has an engine turned back which also shows a cartouche with a Masonic symbol. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial and pink gold hands. The numbered, extremely fine precision movement has a chronometer escapement, a cylindrical spiral, fine regulation, screwed gold chatons and the circuit board is marked Chronomètre De Precision.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 119 g
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Signed: No name
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Audemars Frères

After the bankruptcy of the company Louis Audemars & Fils in 1885, where Charles Henri Audemars was senior director, Charles Henri’s two sons, Hector Adolphe Audemars and Charles Henri Audemars Junior, founded the company Audemars Frères in Geneva and (Le) Brassus. They continued the business very successfully and became the court watchmaker of the Russian tsar.

Two other companies that were formed after the bankruptcy were:

– François Audemars Fils, founded by the elder brother, François. His watches are rare and said to be good quality but his business collapsed before the end of the 19^th century.

– Louis Audemars & Cie, was founded by a cousin Louis Audemars-Valette. His watches were good quality to begin with but declined in quality until he closed his company in about 1900.