Swiss gold one-minute tourbillon chronometer Circa 1870

Gold hunting cased chronometer
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A Swiss 18 carat gold hunting cased one-minute tourbillon pocket chronometer, circa 1870. Nickel movement, pivoted detent escapement, Guinand type 2 one-minute tourbillon, the bridges formed as the initials of Ernest Guinand. White enamel dial with Roman hours and outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds at 6. Later high-quality purpose-built engine-turned case, case makers mark MRM for Martin Matthews.
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Diameter: 53.5 mm
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Signed: No name
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Working in Le Locle, Switzerland, Ernest Guinand (1810-1879) specialised in the delicate construction of tourbillon carriages and movements that incorporated them. It is estimated that from approximately 1865 he produced in the region of 20-25 tourbillons for prestigious manufacturers such as F.L. Favre-Bulle, Girard-Perregaux and Patek Philippe. Indeed such was the esteem in which he was held that Patek chose him to create their first tourbillon regulator. His designs paved the way for modern tourbillons, and Guinand created three distinct shapes of carriage types 1, 2 and 3.
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Another interesting feature of this piece is the configuration of the bridges. At first seemingly ornate, the bridges spell the maker’s initial ‘EG’. This makes the present watch one of perhaps as few as only three known to have this feature.