Swiss 18 carat gold split seconds chronograph Circa 1890

Gold important repeating anker chronometer
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An important anker chronometer with a split seconds chronograph, minute repeater and an extract from the archives made by Fritz Piguet & L. Bachmann successeurs in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1890. The case of this watch, which was crafted from 18 carat gold, has a monogram on the back lid, and its cuvette is numbered and engraved with the technical details. The white enamel dial features black Roman hours, an outer minute track, gold Arabic minute numerals, outermost fifth of a second divisions, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and steel spade hands. The glazed movement is fitted with a highly complicated Geneva anker chronometer escapement in top quality, a fine adjusting device, minute repeater, split seconds chronograph and 36 rubies.
The cuvette is signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 133 g
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Signed: Fritz Piguet & Bachman Genève, L. Bachmann Successeurs
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Piguet & Bachmann
Fritz Piguet & Louis Bachmann were Geneva based watchmakers who specialized in high quality, complex pocket watches during the second half of the 19^th century. They produced superbly adjusted, high end timepieces, including chronometers and repeating pocket watches. Some of their complicated watches featured minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and chronographs.

Their craftsmanship was recognized with awards at international competitions and exhibitions, including a first prize at the Geneva Observatory Timing Contest in 1888, a silver medal at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris and a first prize at the 1881 Melbourne Timing Contest.

In 1893, the company delivered a notable, intricate pocket watch featuring a minute repeater, moon phase, perpetual calendar and chronograph to the King of Romania.

The company was later known as Fritz Piguet & Bachmann in Genève, L. Bachmann successeur. It was taken over by Maison M. Bader in 1913 and the business effectively ceased to operate under the original name as an independent entity.