Swiss gold lever pocket watch with chronograph Circa 1900

Gold hunting cased keyless pocket watch
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An extremely fine and rare Swiss 18 Carat pink gold hunting cased keyless pocket watch with chronograph, circa 1900. A first class bulletin de marche was achieved at the Observatoire de Genève. The front cover is engraved with a foliate monogram JT, and an olive shaped button for the chronograph at 12. Hinged gold cuvette engraved with the observatory details, a glazed gold rimmed cover to view the movement. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outermost chronograph track divided into 1/5th seconds, five minute/seconds Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds and gold spade hands. A rhodium plated movement, Geneva striping decoration, 21 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with meantime and temperature adjustment screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Cuvette signed.
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Diameter: 55.5 mm
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Signed: J. E. Dufour & Co, Fabricants  Genève
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Accompanied by a fitted rosewood box.
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This watch achieved a 1st Class rating at the Observatory of Geneva timing tests. Watches with 1st Class ratings that also have additional complications such as a chronograph or repeating are comparatively rare because extra complications can have an adverse effect on the timekeeping of a watch. Therefore far fewer achieved the level of accuracy required for observatory testing. The present watch is also in exceptionally good condition with a heavy gold case and perfect enamel dial.