Swiss independent dead centre seconds lever watch Circa 1877

Gold open faced pocket watch by Patek Philippe.
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A fine and rare, Swiss 18-carat gold keyless lever watch with dead centre seconds and free-spring unidirectional winding system, circa 1872.
Round-shaped 18-carat yellow gold with hinged case back. Case back engraved in taille-douce with the cypher Dr V S. Enamel dial with Roman radial hours, outer minutes/seconds track, and spade hands. The dead independent seconds (exterior graduation with the central hand; activated by the rectangular push-piece located on the case band, at 10:15); safety bolt locking the dead seconds’ functions (slide at 9:40). Keyless-winding, gilded brass movement, with two going barrels (one of the dead second’s mechanisms with slipping mainspring, so-called free spring), double-train of wheels, straight-line lever escapement, cut balance with gold poising screws and blue. Dial, case and movement signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Co. Genève
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Patek Philippe dead independent seconds with two mounting barrels in series with unidirectional-winding and “free spring” This watch is fitted with the new system with two mounting barrels in series with unidirectional-winding and “free” mainspring, which give will the Swiss invention paten.. 1 017, delivered to Patek Philippe, Geneva, on May 23, 1889, for a “Montre à secondes indépendantes à deux barillets se remontant ensemble par le même mécanisme de remontoir au pendant, et à deux corps de rouage dont le rouage des secondes est planté dans le même pont et au-dessus de celui de la montre.”. Jean-Adrien Philippe already presented this invention (1815-1894) during the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1867. This invention dates back to 1866. The Genevan manufacturer will market watches of this type until 1913. As with its mechanism of winding and time-setting at the pendant, nearly a quarter of a century of reflections and improvements has led to the final version, which was finally patented in 1889. Very few of them were made; this watch is one of the first 10 or 15 produced according to this design.