Swiss silver observatory deck watch with power reserve Circa 1896

Silver deck watch with gold details
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An extremely rare observatory chronometer deck watch with power reserve indicator made by H. Audemars in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1896. The open faced case of this watch was crafted from silver and has gold details. The white enamel dial has Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, a power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock, a subsidiary seconds dial at 3 and black hands. The fully glazed movement has an anker chronometer escapement of the greatest rarity, Geneva striping decoration, a chronometer balance, screwed gold chatons and wolf’s toothing.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Signed: H. Audemars Genève
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This anker chronometer of exceptional quality took part in the first class category of the Geneva Observatory competition and achieved an excellent 17^th place out of 142 participating chronometers. The certificate from the chronometer database of A. Hiding is available.

Alexis Favre was born in Carouge near Geneva, Switzerland in 1832. He was one of the best regulators of his time and worked for various renowned companies including Patek Philippe. The brand Alexis Favre was registered on July 12th, 1888 under No. 2343 and later No. 23381. In 1881, he won first prize in the Geneva Observatory competition where he scored 232 points with a lever chronograph featuring a flat hairspring. He took first place together with another participant in 1882. In 1883, he won first prize for a chronometer presented by Patek Philippe and further two first prizes, two second prizes and a third prize in 1887. In 1860, he settled at 214 Rue de la Cité and later at 15 Place Saint Gervais in Geneva.