167 - Fridolin Wiget - Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds

Fridolin Wiget - Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds (*) An important and legendary deck chronometer from the final series of the 65-mm models, which were produced without a power reserve and crafted by a "technicien-horloger" Movm. No. 347.1, Cal. 65 mm, Dimensions 77 mm, circa 1956, Weight 408 g, Origin: Switzerland Case: Silver, screw-down back, open-back movement. Dial: Enamel. Movement: Bridge movement, lever escapement, Guillaume gold-screw-compensated balance, blued Breguet balance spring with a terminal curve by Grossmann. This chronometer received a certificate from the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1956 and participated in the Observatory’s chronometer competitions in 1958, 1959, and 1960 in the “Chronomètre de Bord” category. In 1958, it was awarded First Prize (1er Prix) with an average daily rate deviation of 0.16 seconds, placing 20th out of 31 chronometers. In 1960, it again received a First Prize, this time with an average daily rate deviation of 0.13 seconds, and placed 20th out of 43 chronometers. The adjuster (régleur) was Pierre Girardet in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Included are three excerpts from Andreas Hidding’s chronometer database. With a training period of five years, the Technicien-Horloger program at the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds is the most demanding horological training program in Switzerland. The 65-mm caliber was produced exclusively by qualified graduates of this five-year program. No ébauches existed for these pieces; every component had to be manufactured entirely from scratch. The 65-mm caliber of the Technicum refers to a historical movement caliber (movement diameter of 65 mm or 29 lignes) that was specifically designed for educational and competition purposes at the Technicum Neuchâtelois (and at watchmaking schools such as La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle) for deck and pocket chronometers. It served as a large-format base and competition movement in watchmaking training for precision measurement. Toward the end of this era, the large 65-mm caliber was replaced by the more compact 49.9-mm caliber, whose construction plans were created by Fridolin Wiget. 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.