Swiss gold independent centre seconds lever Circa 1890

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A Swiss 18 carat gold open faced independent centre seconds keyless lever pocket watch, circa 1890. Keyless nickelled bar movement with two going barrels, twin visible steel winding wheels, plain cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring, club foot lever escapement, escape and lever pivots with end stones. Gold cuvette and glazed cover to the movement. White enamel dial with Roman hours and Arabic five minutes, independent centre seconds, continuous subsidiary seconds, blue steel seconds hands and gilt hands. Plain case, engraved monogram on the back, the independent seconds operated by a button in the pendant.

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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: No name
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Independent seconds has the advantage of allowing the second’s hand to be stopped and started without affecting the going train, unlike some simple chronographs of the period. Another benefit was the second’s hand jumping ahead one second at a time.