Fine Swiss split-seconds chronograph pocket watch Circa 1885

Gold hunting cased pocket watch 
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A fine and rare Swiss 18K gold hunting cased split-second chronograph keyless lever pocket watch with quarter-second diablotine, circa 1885. Polished case, engraved monogram on the front, chronograph buttons in the band. Hinged gold cuvette with engraved dedication, glazed gold-rimmed cover over the movement. White enamel dial with radial black Roman hours, outer red Arabic minutes and chronograph divisions, 1/4th second diablotine and blued steel spade hands. A rhodium-plated movement, 32 jewels, counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, adjusted cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, micrometric cam-type regulator. Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Ami LeCoultre  Brassus & Geneva
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This movement with a direct diablotine mechanism was invented by Ami LeCoultre from Le Brassus, Switzerland and is based on his patent No. 355403 of January 4th, 1887. The movement of the present watch is inscribed as ‘Patent Applied For’ and must therefore date from before 1887.

The feature known as a diablotine is a small subsidiary dial on a chronograph or independent centre 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 literally means ‘little devil’. The diablotine is halted when the chronograph or centre seconds is stopped and the fractions of a second can be read.
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Charles Ami Lecoultre, 1843-1921, began his career in Le Brassus, manufacturing complicated watches. In 1878 he exhibited a highly complicated watch at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, this watch became known as ‘La Merveilleuse’ and is now in the Musee International d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1881, Ami LeCoultre formed an association with Louis Elisée Piguet during the course of which he registered several patents.