Very fine, rare Swiss three handed chronograph Circa 1890

Large silver three handed chronograph with instantaneous 30 min. register by Droz Jeannot fils
–
A very fine and rare large silver three handed chronograph keyless watch with instantaneous 30 minute register, circa 1890. Cal. 22”’ nickel lever movement, jewelled to the centre, the chronograph mechanism driven by two sets of stacked vertical wheels from the fourth wheel via intermediary wheels which are engaged when the crown is depressed. Silver cuvette. White enamel dial, Arabic numerals, outer minute track and fifths of a second divisions, subsidiary seconds and instantaneous 30 minute register and blued steel spade hands. Polished case, chronograph button to the crown for the start/stop and return to zero functions. Case and movement numbered.
–
Diameter: 61 mm
–
Signed: P.L. Droz successeur de Droz Jeannot fils aux Brenets
–
This impressive mechanism was built under the Swiss Patent No. 9 974, delivered to P.L. Droz, successeur de Droz Jeannot fils, Les Brenets, on February 1, 1895 and described as ‘Chronographe-compteur pour courses avec trois aiguilles au centre et compteur des minutes’. It is very impressive with all five hands being driven from the central axis and the three handed chronograph function operating through the single button in the crown. After depressing the button for the first time, all three hands are engaged, with the second depression the lower hand stops, with the third the middle hand is stopped, with the fourth the upper hand is stopped and with the fifth the brake levers to all the hands are released and they return to zero. This watch is one of only two known examples of a pocket watch with three true chonograph hands function.