Swiss chronograph watch in display case Circa 1890

Watch with extremely rare and very fine movement
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A pocket watch with an extremely rare and very fine movement with rattrapante and foudroyante, made by Charles Ami Lecoultre, in le Brassus, Switzerland, circa 1890. The original display case is glazed on both sides and the original perfectly preserved enamel dial has red Arabic five minute numerals, black Roman hour numerals, a ¼ foudroyante dial at 6 o’clock and blued steel hands. The extremely rare numbered movement with split seconds chronograph and flashing ¼ second, is marked with the patent number from 1887, has Geneva striping finish and a fine adjustment.

Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 47,5 mm
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Signed: Ami Lecoultre, Brassus & Geneva
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The fantastic movement is still in its transport case and has probably never been used or fitted into a case. The movements according to patent 355403 belong to the finest split second chronographs made in the 19th century. This movement with a direct ‘diablotine’ mechanism was invented by Ami LeCoultre from Le Brassus in Switzerland and is based on his patent no. 355403 of January 4, 1887. Ami LeCoultre Charles Ami Lecoultre (1843-1921) began his career in Le Brassus with the manufacture of complicated watches. In 1878, he exhibited a highly complicated watch at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, which became known as ‘La Merveilleuse’ and is now on display at the Musee International d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1881, Ami LeCoultre entered into a partnership with Louis Elisée Piguet, during which he registered several patents.