Swiss 14 carat rose gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1890

Gold gentleman’s Geneva pocket watch by Alex Hüning
–
A very fine Swiss gentleman’s Geneva pocket watch, circa 1890. Sold to Martin Halbkram, royal watchmaker in Vienna.
14-Carat rose gold, polished, à goutte, reeded case with a signed gold dome and case maker’s punch mark F&H (Fiebiger & Hüning). Enamel dial signed: M. Halbkram, Wien, with Arabic hours and minutes, auxiliary seconds, and gold Louis XV hands. Bridge movement, frosted, gilt, with wolf-teeth winding wheels, lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance, blued balance spring with a terminal curve, and index spring fine adjusting device, counterpoised lever.
–
Diameter: 54 mm
–
Weight: 109 g
–
Signed: M. Halbkram, Wien
–
Alexander Hüning, Swiss watchmaker
Alexander Hüning (1855-1931) was probably born in Germany and went to Geneva around 1880 after completing his training as a watchmaker, where he was naturalized in 1889. Together with Emile Fiebiger, he founded the company Fiebiger & Hüning, Geneva, Rue de Lévrier 13 in 1893, which he continued to run on his own after the death of his partner. Hüning was best known for its high-quality pocket watches with complications. Alexander Hüning won the Geneva Observatory competition with his watches in 1905 and 1908.
–
Martin Halbkram, Austrian watchmaker
Martin Halbkram was born in 1871 ??? born and was a watchmaker in Vienna. Since 1891 court watchmaker during the imperial and royal monarchy, as well as Luxembourg court watchmaker since February 14, 1894. In 1871, he opened his shop at Kolowratring 10, later his shop was located at Kärntnerstrasse 20 and Seilergasse 3 at the corner of Graben Vienna I. He also represented A. Lange & Söhne in Vienna. At that time, he also represented Vacheron & Constantin IWC and Movado watches. In addition to small clocks, he also sold large clocks, Viennese regulators and clocks from the Lenzkirch company.
Martin Halbkram died in 1902, after the departure of widow Wilhelmine Halbkram in 1907, the company was continued by Hugo Halbkram. According to Christie’s auction house, the company was still active in 1966 and became a Patek Philippe Ref. 2499, plant no. 869,340, sold to Ms Steffi Pop on behalf of the American H. Lee Turner.