Swiss silver duplex watch for the Chinese market Circa 1850

Silver pocket watch with ¼th second diablotine
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An unusual pocket watch with diablotine, probably made in Fleurier, Switzerland, for the Chinese market, circa 1850. The numbered open faced case of this watch, crafted from silver, features a reeded band, a cuvette marked Duplex Diablotin, and a decoratively engraved, vacant cartouche on the engine turned back. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary ¼th of a second dial at 6 o’clock and blued steel spade hands. The movement is equipped with an unusual bridge and a duplex escapement.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 76 g
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Signed: No name
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The feature known as a diablotine is a small subsidiary dial on a chronograph or independent center seconds pocket watch, the hand of which moves in a jumping manner at intervals of 1/4 or 1/5th of a second. The term means ‘little devil’. The diablotine is halted when the chronograph or center seconds is stopped and the fractions of a second can be read.