Strange one!

[doug sinclair]

All,

Today I saw a watch the like of which I have neither seen nor heard of. The dial name was LePhare. The watch had a typical face layout, except that it had an additional subsidiary 12-hour dial below 12:00 position. A standard looking crown/pendant arrangement, and two small buttons on the case edge like the ones found on a pin set watch. I was asked for an opinion on the watch. I opened it up, and the case contained a very nice, fully jewelled, Swiss-made movement of about 12 size. One of the first things I noticed about it was that it had a circular gong around the perimeter of the movement such as you might see in a repeater. I spent a few minutes exploring this odd watch. I found that the single crown wound two mainsprings! It wound one when turned in the usual winding direction. It wound the other one when you backed the crown up. Pushing the one pin re-set the subsidiary 12-hour hand when you turned the crown. Pushing the other button set the hands when you turned the crown. The case back was set up to allow the wearer to open the outer case and set it up on a table top. You have likely guessed what it was. A very unusual (to me) ALARM watch with a very attractive chime! I guess I'll never be too old to learn!

[doug sinclair]

All,

Today I saw a watch the like of which I have neither seen nor heard of. The dial name was LePhare. The watch had a typical face layout, except that it had an additional subsidiary 12-hour dial below 12:00 position. A standard looking crown/pendant arrangement, and two small buttons on the case edge like the ones found on a pin set watch. I was asked for an opinion on the watch. I opened it up, and the case contained a very nice, fully jewelled, Swiss-made movement of about 12 size. One of the first things I noticed about it was that it had a circular gong around the perimeter of the movement such as you might see in a repeater. I spent a few minutes exploring this odd watch. I found that the single crown wound two mainsprings! It wound one when turned in the usual winding direction. It wound the other one when you backed the crown up. Pushing the one pin re-set the subsidiary 12-hour hand when you turned the crown. Pushing the other button set the hands when you turned the crown. The case back was set up to allow the wearer to open the outer case and set it up on a table top. You have likely guessed what it was. A very unusual (to me) ALARM watch with a very attractive chime! I guess I'll never be too old to learn!

[CZHACK]

Doug,

Tony (noted in the Rare LePhare thread is doing research on LePhare. Do you have a picture of this interesting watch?

Mike

[doug sinclair]

Mike,

Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera with me when I saw it.

[Nachtmotte]

Hello Mike,
hello Mr.Sinclair!
I totally agree with the statement and it´s also a very nice kind of saying: "We´ll never be too old to learn."
Very truly words fo Mr.Sinclair.

In my list I see five kinds of Le Phare movements types:
first: only as repeater,
second: as repeater with a kind of melody system
third: as repeater with chronograph,
fourth: only as melody movement,
fifth: only as chronographs

Especially from the melody mechanism movements I´ve mostly pictures from under the dial but not the back side. Maybe Mike´s beauty is such a case and we could only identify it, by lifting up carefully the dial. Otherwise I´ve to search more sources in the swiss universities for Le Phare informations.
Sending you my best regards to you together
Tony

[doug sinclair]

Tony,

Now you can add alarm watches to the list! There is a chance I MIGHT be able to get pictures of this watch if it would be of use to you. Just let me know.

[Nachtmotte]

Hello Doug,
certainly it does! Would be happy to see another puzzle piece. You make me intrigue with this alarm watch.... :wink:
Best regards
Tony

[doug sinclair]

Tony,

Here (http://members.shaw.ca/doug.sinclair/P1010074.JPG) is a picture of the dial of the strange "LePhare" alarm watch which has been the subject of this thread. As advertised. This is one of a group of 6 watches (most very ordinary) that are part of an estate, and I was asked to give a probate value on them.

As I mentioned, the watch has two mainsprings, one wound by turning the crown one way, the other wound by turning the crown the other way. The hands are "pin-set", using the two pins on the case edge. The case back opens, allowing the watch to stand as shown. There is a cuvette. The gong is actually a chime rod as you would see on a repeater! A very gentle, pretty sound for an alarm watch. I have a good shot of the movement as well, in this image. (http://members.shaw.ca/doug.sinclair/P1010079.JPG)

The case is nickel silver and is in excellent condition, as is the movement, and everything works! Quite a curiosity, I think.

[RON in PA]

Interesting human engineering, the small red arrow above the alarm setting dial pointing to the pin that controls the alarm.

[Luca]

Nice pics of an interesting clock-watch Doug!

[Nachtmotte]

Hello Doug,
thank you for the very good pictures.
My first impression: as far as I know, the serial numbers of typical Le Phare movements are splitted into two 3-digit around / under the balance wheel: one 3-digit left, the second 3-digit right side. This movement have a 6-digit serial number under the balance cock. It seems to be that this is not a real Le Phare movement than from third.
You´re right: I got till now no similar picture of this new Le Phare movement kind and I´m curious what the others looks like as you told us....
Sending you my best regards
Tony

[doug sinclair]

Tony,

You are asking what the three other LePhare movements that I told you about, look like. I only mentioned this one LePhare movement.