Swiss 18 carat gold interesting pocket watch Circa 1900

Complicated gold hunter case pocket watch
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A technically and historically highly interesting, complicated gold full hunter case pocket watch, made for S. McLernon, jeweller in Napier, New Zealand, by the Baume Frères in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1900. This watch features a very heavy and solid 18 carat gold full hunter numbered case with three thick gold lids, bears the hallmark of Baume & Mercier Geneva, which was introduced in 1878 and is engraved on the spring lid. The white enamel dial features an outer chronograph 1/5th seconds track with Arabic 5 minute numerals, an inner hour track with Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, a 30 minute counter at 12 o’clock and blued steel spade style hands. The movement is equipped with a high quality precision lever escapement, a minute repeater and a chronograph with a counter.
The dial is signed with the name of the retailer.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 142 g
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Signed: S. McLernon Napier N.Z. (dial)
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The watch is not only a top quality Geneva piece from around 1880, but also one of the few known complicated pocket watches from the now world famous manufacturer. It is likely the oldest complicated pocket watch from Baume & Mercier still in existence, although at the time they were operating under the name Baume Frères.
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Baume & Mercier
Baume & Mercier is the seventh oldest watchmaking company in Switzerland. Its roots date back to 1830 when brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume opened a workshop in the Swiss Jura village of Les Bois. The brand gained global prominence by producing highly accurate pocket watches with advanced complications.
In 1918, William Baume (grandson of the founders and company director at that time) relocated to Geneva. He partners with Paul Mercier, a cosmopolitan businessman with an extensive background in the arts. The company is officially founded under the name Baume & Mercier, Genève in 1920.
Today, the brand operates a modern manufacturing facility in Les Brenets, Switzerland and is known for collections like the Clifton Baumatic and the iconic Hampton.
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S. McLernon, jeweller

S. McLernon was a prominent watchmaking and jewellery business in Napier, New Zealand, established in the late 19^th century. Founded by Samuel McLernon, an Irish immigrant and skilled craftsman, in 1896, the firm anchored the city’s retail and commercial district for decades.