Swiss gold keyless pocket lever Royal chronometer Circa 1900

Gold open faced pocket watch
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A large-size Swiss 18 carat yellow gold keyless pocket lever chronometer, circa 1900.
A polished case, engine-turned case back and a hinged gold cuvette. White enamel dial with bold radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds dial and yellow gold spade hands. Frosted gilt movement, 18 jewels, wolf`s tooth winding, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometre regulator. Dial, case, cuvette and movement signed.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Cie  Genève Chronometro Gondola
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The name “Chronomètre Royal” was registered on May 28, 1907, under the number 22193. The “Royal Chronometer” name, for the English-speaking market, was registered on May 8 1908, under the number 23872. The first of these was a series of pocket watches delivered to Brazil. A certain A. Campos had organized a lottery system in which subscribers would pay a monthly fee to take part in a series of draws.
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The holders of the winning tickets would be given a watch and the other subscribers would be entered into the next draw. This system proved to be so successful that A Campos delivered a total of 3022 watches between 22 October 1907 and 31 December 1911 – an amazing 80% of the production of the Chronomètre Royal, utilizing the calibre RA22″’73 made during this period. The Chronomètre Royal was made in several sizes, from 12 to 22 lines, and was housed mostly in gold cases, and rarely in silver ones.