Swiss prototype for the later so-called Charmilles watches Circa 1890

Important silver open face pocket watch by Albert H. Potter
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A historically important Swiss prototype watch, number 4, for the later so-called Charmilles watches, circa 1890.
The polished transport case is made of silver and has a glass backside. The signed white enamel dial has radial Roman numerals, outer minutes track, subsidiary dial for the seconds, and gold Breguet hands. And the movement is a 3/4 plate movement with a brass balance.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 78 g
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Signed: Albert H. Potter, Geneva
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Even though Albert H. Potter was an extremely gifted maker whose pocket watches are sold for top prices today, his business was actually not very successful. Some of his ventures and inventions just fizzled out, others came to nothing because of lacking funds. He was unable to realize his plans to build an inexpensive good quality watch and first sold the right to the New Haven Watch Comp. in New Jersey and later to the Badollet manufactory in Charmilles in the vicinity of Geneva. After having little success with the project, Badollet discontinued the production in 1896.
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Charmilles Genève, Swiss watch manufacturer and watch brand
The Charmilles Genève watch factory, also known as Charmilles, was founded around 1886 by the American watchmaker Albert Henry Potter. Charmilles, a district (the districts are further subdivided into so-called quarters) of the Petit-Saconnex district of Geneva, Potter tries to establish the manufacture of cheaper, but more reliable and accurate clocks. The production of these watches was actually a collaboration between Jean Jacques Badollet & Cie, Albert Potter and Theo W. Burger. Badollet was responsible for production. The watches bear the signature: Charmilles or Charmilles Genève. “The best watch you can buy for $4.” said Potter at the time. The patent on this watch was “Brevet 3647”, this patent, as well as several other patents relating to the Charmilles watch, were sold to the New Haven Watch Company for allegedly $50,000.
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Although Potter has seen some success, the company is failing financially. Some of his ventures and inventions fizzled out, others had to be given up for lack of money. In 1895, Potter gave up watchmaking. The association between Potter and Badollet was broken up.