Swiss gold watch with pivoted detent escapement Circa 1880

Gold chronometer for the South American market
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Very fine and rare Swiss 18K gold, hunting cased, pivoted detent pocket chronometer with a free-sprung spherical balance spring and special balance, circa 1880. Made for the South American market by Girard Perregaux, Chaux de Fonds, Swiss. A solid, engine-turned and florally engraved gold hinged cuvette. Silver dial with applied gold floral decoration, painted radial Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds, the centre and outer border decorated with cast and engraved gold foliage, blued steel spade hands.

Nickel-plated movement, Girard Perregaux calibre, geometric decoration, gold wheel train, 20 jewels in gold chatons, Swiss pivoted detent escapement, cut bimetallic two-arm compensation balance with two gold sliding ogival weights for temperature adjustment, gold timing screws, diamond endstone, free-sprung blued steel spherical balance spring. Signed on the dial, case and movement.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Thickness: 17 mm
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Signed: Girard Perregaux   Chaux de Fonds
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Constant Girard (1825-1903) who changed his name to Girard-Perregaux after marrying Marie Perregaux, the daughter of a well-known chronometer maker, established his reputation as a maker of precision watches. The company did business first with Peru and Chile, and then with Argentina.