G. Reymond Straight line lever pre1890, A, Montandon Locle

[30fair]

I'm looking to learn about my 2nd great-grandfather's watch. Lid inscribed:
G. Reymond
LOCLE
Straight line lever
No. 52410
Opposite lid inscribed: 52410 3

He received the watch pre-1890,
when he emigrated from France, from a relative in France or Switzerland. Have original box, lining says, "A, Montandon Locle".

 

[Dr. Jon]

It is a nice mid grade watch by a very good maker with light enameling.

"Straight line lever means that the pivots for the balance lever and escape wheel are in a line. This is a Swiss style lever.

It looks 1850 era to me.

It has a plain balance lacking temperature correction.

It is key wound and set.

The original box is a nice addition. It has a key and if it works its probably a good one. There may be paperwork under the cloth cover inside the top. If so it will come out easily.

 

[Audemars]

Made for the US or English markets - despite the provenance .
P

 

[Bernhard J.]

I wonder about the crown. If it is an early keyless wind, I would also expect a pin in the case for setting of hands. That the movement may be wound and set by a key is not unusual for early keyless watches. The crown does not look as if it were for the sprung lid only.

Nice watch!

 

[Dr. Jon]

I had dismissed the crown once I saw the key wind and key setting. This was in the early days of keyless winding and many watch cases had "Fake" crowns. The opening button no longer was fashionable to hide and many were enlarged to look superficially like winding crowns. The illusion is enhanced by the bulbous shape of the pendant but its all for show.

This watch never had crown winding. The mainspring is on the opposite side of the case from the pendant. The movement itself is credibly original as evidenced by its alignment with the holes in the inner cover, which are in harmony with the engraving.