French 18K gold keyless chronograph pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold open faced keyless lever watch
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A fine and very rare French 18 carat gold open faced keyless pocket watch with chronograph, the Chronosport, made by Lépine in Paris, circa 1900. The face with inner concentric red scales for calculating timings up to 1/10th of a second, an outermost scale calibrated for units per hour in blue and a central black instantaneous 30 minute register. A hinged gold cuvette.
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White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track with fifth of a second divisions and Arabic five minute numerals, and blued steel moon hands. A frosted gilt movement with 23 jewels, wolf’s tooth winding, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring and an index regulator, visible chronograph work. Dial, cuvette and case signed.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Signed: Lépine Place des Victoires Paris