CHINESE MARKET DUPLEX

[CZHACK]

http://pub.olive.cz/Bart/IMG_1097.jpg
http://pub.olive.cz/Bart/IMG_1101.jpg

[CZHACK]

http://pub.olive.cz/Bart/IMG_1097.jpg
http://pub.olive.cz/Bart/IMG_1101.jpg

[CZHACK]

I was going to the trouble to place the Le Phare photos and thought I would also submit the above which I bought this week. It has a "Chinese Duplex" which allows the center second hand to move in one second movements versus a sweep. The photo does not do the movement justice - it is a "carved movement" with very detailed carved (not engraved)flowers, vines etc.

[RON in PA]

Thank you for posting the pictures of the interesting and beautiful watch. Could you tell us what you know about it. It appears to be a key wind/key set. Is that correct? Manufacturer and era? Thanks.

[Nachtmotte]

Hello Mike,
where did you get this beauty? The engraving looks wonderful. Please tell us more about this!
Best regards
Tony

[JulieK]

This is beautiful! The artistry that goes into some of these mechanics is just amazing to me.

Julie

[CZHACK]

I bought this in a small shop in Prague this week. I was aware of duplex watches for the Chinese markets of the 1830-70 period from the internet/books but had not seen one until this week. I estimate that this watch was produced about 1860 from various references (Shugart has a very similar watch in the 2005 edition and says c1870). These watches differ from most in that they often have 1) plain polished steel balance wheels with four "bat wing" balances rather than screws, 2)the escapement teeth look a bit like crab legs and cause the seconds hand to move in one second jumps rather than a steady sweep, 3)has center seconds hand which most other watches of the period did not. The most obvious feature of these watches was the carved or engraved movements.

Anyone out there with real knowledge - I just liked the detailed carved movement and seconds action?

[neighmond]

I know how to fix it, but what I could tell you about its history you already know.

Pretty watch!