US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
136
S. Smith & Son
"Grand Complication with Tourbillon"
A superb and incredibly complicated yellow gold hunter cased minute repeating, split second chronograph pocketwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and tourbillon
- Estimate
- CHF60,000 - 120,000€64,700 - 129,000$75,400 - 151,000
CHF88,900
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- S. Smith & Son
- Year
- Circa 1900
- Movement No
- 1900-1
- Case No
- 1900-1
- Model Name
- "Grand Complication with Tourbillon"
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, made by Nicole Nielsen & Co.
- Dimensions
- 59mm diameter
- Signed
- Dial and movement signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
At the turn of the 20th century, British watchmakers focused on the highest quality and most complicated timepieces, differentiating themselves from American and Swiss watchmakers who at the time aimed for mass production. British makers such as Charles Frodsham, Dent, J. Player & Son, and S. Smith and Son were producing some of the finest watches in the world, with many of the world’s wealthiest, such as John Pierpont Morgan, as their patrons. In fact, the Swiss would soon follow the lead of the British, beginning the production of highly complicated pocketwatches approximately a decade later.
The present S. Smith & Son watch from 1900 is an exceptional example of the finest in English horology and a wonderful representation of those who lead the way. Combining a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, a perpetual calendar with moon phase and tourbillon, it is a true masterpiece from the turn of the 20th century and one of the most complicated timepieces of its era.
The lovely white enamel dial with Roman numerals elegantly presents multiple subsidiary dials indicating the day of the week and date, along with running seconds combined with an aperture for the moon phase. Made and signed by Frederick Willis, his dials were of the highest quality used by the very best British makers in their most important watches.
The movement is made by Nicole, Nielsen & Co. who was the leading manufacturer of complicated watches in late 19th century London, and made watches and carriage clocks for leading makers such as Frodsham, but also marketed under their own name. The firm originated in 1840 when Adolphe Nicole, a partner in the firm of Nicole & Capt, Geneva, settled in London. In 1888 the firm was purchased by R.B. North, Nielsen being retained as joint managing director with Harrison Mill Frodsham. In 1888 the firm took the name of Nicole, Nielsen & Co.
The watch is numbered 1900-1 suggesting that it was the first of its series to be manufactured in 1900 and may in fact be the first watch produced by S. Smith & Sons in the 20th century. The London date letter for 1899 covered the period of May 1899 to May 1900, being changed each year on the 29th of May.
The present S. Smith & Son watch from 1900 is an exceptional example of the finest in English horology and a wonderful representation of those who lead the way. Combining a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, a perpetual calendar with moon phase and tourbillon, it is a true masterpiece from the turn of the 20th century and one of the most complicated timepieces of its era.
The lovely white enamel dial with Roman numerals elegantly presents multiple subsidiary dials indicating the day of the week and date, along with running seconds combined with an aperture for the moon phase. Made and signed by Frederick Willis, his dials were of the highest quality used by the very best British makers in their most important watches.
The movement is made by Nicole, Nielsen & Co. who was the leading manufacturer of complicated watches in late 19th century London, and made watches and carriage clocks for leading makers such as Frodsham, but also marketed under their own name. The firm originated in 1840 when Adolphe Nicole, a partner in the firm of Nicole & Capt, Geneva, settled in London. In 1888 the firm was purchased by R.B. North, Nielsen being retained as joint managing director with Harrison Mill Frodsham. In 1888 the firm took the name of Nicole, Nielsen & Co.
The watch is numbered 1900-1 suggesting that it was the first of its series to be manufactured in 1900 and may in fact be the first watch produced by S. Smith & Sons in the 20th century. The London date letter for 1899 covered the period of May 1899 to May 1900, being changed each year on the 29th of May.