192 - Neuchâtel Watchmaking School - Minute Repeater Chronograph

Neuchâtel Watchmaking School - Minute Repeater Chronograph (*) An important, unique Swiss graduate piece from the Neuchâtel Watchmaking School featuring a minute repeater and chronograph Movm. No. 578.8, Cal. Barbezat Baillot, Case No. 1920, Dimensions 54 mm, circa 1920, Weight 125 g, Origin: Switzerland Case: 18K gold, smooth. Dial: Enamel. Movement: Bridge movement, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, lever escapement, Swiss patent engraving 27833 (Barbezat Baillot, “Mécanisme de chronographe-compteur”), gold-screw-compensated balance. The École d’horlogerie de Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel Watchmaking School) was a historic Swiss vocational school specializing in watchmaking in the Canton of Neuchâtel. It was established to train skilled workers, watchmakers, and technical managers for the emerging watch industry. Founded in 1871, it was one of several regional watchmaking schools established in French-speaking Switzerland, following those in Geneva, La Chaux-de-Fonds, and Le Locle. Its curriculum focused on practical watchmaking skills combined with theoretical technical instruction. The school made a significant contribution to the worldwide reputation of Neuchâtel and Swiss precision chronometry, particularly through its close association with the renowned Neuchâtel Observatory (Cantonal Observatory), which tested and certified the accuracy of precision timepieces. Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended.