Important Swiss gold one minute tourbillon watch Circa 1948

Small table chronometer by James C. Pellaton
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An important, small Swiss table chronometer with a one-minute tourbillon, circa 1948. Produced in a small series of about 10 pieces.
Two-part polished, mahogany case: outer case with set brass spandrels and hinged handles; inner case, brass with gimbals lacquered with zapon, and polished steel bearing screws. Three-part 18 Carat gold case with planar glazed on both sides, gold mountings, and gold winding crown. Enamel dial set with Breguet numerals, auxiliary seconds, and blued Breguet hands. Rhodium-plated bridge movement, with Geneva Stripes decoration, gold-chatoned, finely skeletonized, polished and executed cage, polished counterpoised lateral lever, regulator with graduated gold arc, two-arm Guillaume balance with 18000 oscillations/h, gold weight and adjusting screws, blued Breguet balance spring, and signed, engraved dedication: Fabriqué spécialement pour Samuel Glauser.
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Diameter watch: 53 mm
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Height watch: 17mm.
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Dimensions box: 116 x 116 x 98 mm
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Signed: James-C. Pellaton Dr. h.c., Le Locle
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Jämes Cäsar Pellaton (known as James C. Pellaton) was born in Le Locle in 1873 and is considered one of the most important tourbillon carriages in the 20th century. His teacher was his own father Albert Pellaton-Favre (1832-1914), a renowned maker of tourbillons. Together James and Albert Pellaton produced more than 35 tourbillons for Patek Philippe alone; these marvellous timekeepers combine unsurpassed technical superiority with outstanding beauty and craftsmanship in addition to outstanding precision. James Pellaton dedicated his life to the development of tourbillons; in 1923 he created the smallest tourbillon watch of his time – it had a diameter of only 23.7mm; the watch is today held by the Museum of Horlogy in Le Locle. Pellaton was also a teacher at the Technicum in Le Locle. His exceptional horological knowledge and his teaching skills made him an outstanding teacher who contributed much to the school’s excellent reputation. He became its director in 1925 and held the position until he retired in 1939. Pellaton was awarded several titles and honours for his work in the field of horology; one of them was “Doctor Honoris Causa” of the University of Neuchâtel.