151 - Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds - School Watch

Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds - School Watch (*) A rare Swiss graduate's watch—lever chronometer—with watch chain Movm. No. 455.3, Case No. 455.3, Dimensions 51 mm, circa 1920, Weight 102 g, Origin: Switzerland Case: Niello silver, applied rose gold ornamentation, gold crown. Dial: Enamel. Movement: Bridge movement, lever escapement, large gold-screw-compensated balance. The Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds was a renowned Swiss watchmaking and technical school in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Founded in 1865, the institution trained elite watchmakers, engineers, and craftsmen. As part of their final examination, graduates produced highly complex pocket or wristwatches known as montres-écoles (school watches). These watches are distinguished by exquisite craftsmanship, special complications (such as chronographs or perpetual calendars), and finely finished movements. At auctions today, signed watches from the Technicum often fetch high prices, as they are regarded as milestones in Swiss precision engineering. Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended.