Swiss heavy 18 carat gold pivot detent chronometer Circa 1870

Gold pocket chronometer by Henri Perregaux
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A heavy Swiss open faced pocket chronometer, circa 1870. The watch is made of 18 carat gold and has a simple case punched with the maker’s mark MB. It features a white enamel dial with radial Roman numerals to indicate the hours, outer minute divisions, an auxiliary seconds display at 6 o’clock and Fleur de Lys hands. A further key wind bridge movement with a helical balance spring, large gold screw compensation balance and pivot detent escapement.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 125 g
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Signed: H. Perregaux Locle
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Henri Perregaux (1828-1893) took over the family business at a very young age, as his father died young. However, the watch trade was poor and Perregaux had to close the shop in 1860. He then started working for his brother-in-law, Constant Girard-Perregaux. When Girard-Perregaux decided to open a subsidiary in America, Constant appointed Henri as director of his new sales office. In October 1865, Perregaux and his wife travelled to Buenos Aires. He established himself as a representative for Girard-Perregaux in North America and numerous South American countries. From 1872, his business area also included the West Indies. Henri Perregaux worked tirelessly for 16 years to make Girard-Perregaux one of the most successful brands in the Americas.