194 - S. Smith & Son Ltd. - Tourbillon Chronometer

S. Smith & Son Ltd. - Tourbillon Chronometer (*) An important precision pocket watch with a one-minute tourbillon by Nicole Nielson. This watch participated in the 1914–1915 chronometer test at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington and was awarded the rating “especially good” in the “Kew – Class A” category—with an excerpt from the chronometer archives by Andreas Hidding Movement No. 238-102, Case No. 39899, Dimensions 54 mm, circa 1914, Weight 136 g, Origin: England Case: 18K gold, smooth, case maker’s punch marks “FT” (Frederick Thoms) and “S.S.&S.” (S. Smith & Son), glazed movement. Dial: Enamel, off-white, blued double spade hands. Movement: 3/4-plate movement, finely polished steel tourbillon cage, 1 barrel, lever escapement, compensation balance with gold and platinum screws. This watch is in the style of an English “cut hunter,” with the “12” positioned at “9.” This case shape is very rare among English tourbillons; we are not aware of any other Smith & Son tourbillons designed as cut-hunter models. The invention of this unusual design is often attributed to Napoleon, who reportedly disliked having to open the lid of his watch every time he wanted a quick glance at the time. This chronometer is equipped with a minute tourbillon by Nicole Nielson and, like most tourbillon chronometers, was intended for participation in observatory trials. Approximately 30 of these watches were sent to the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington. The majority scored more than 80 points, including this example. This corresponds to the “especially good” rating in the Kew – Class A category. Another distinguishing feature of this tourbillon chronometer is the use of a barrel with a mainspring instead of the usual chain-and-fusee transmission system. S. Smith & Son was a leading London firm specializing in high-quality and complicated watches at the turn of the century. S. Smith & Son was founded in 1851 by the jeweler and watchmaker Samuel Smith. A large portion of the high-quality blank movements was supplied by Nicole Nielson & Co., a high-end movement workshop based in Le Solliat, Vallée de Joux. In addition to a wide range of watches and clocks for private customers, Smith also produced reliable chronometers, which led the firm to become a supplier to the Admiralty. Under the management of Herbert S.A. Smith, the firm developed into a large manufacturing company with its own research laboratories; in the next generation, Sir Alan Herbert Smith further expanded the company’s product range and began producing automotive and aircraft instruments. Around this time, a period of general decline began for British horology; even so, a few British watchmakers created magnificent, ultra-complicated watches, as if to prove to the world that they were still the best. Some of these watches were made in collaboration with the most renowned Swiss watch companies. Charles Frodsham, Edward John Dent, and Samuel Smith were the London watchmakers best known for this, as well as J. W. Player in Coventry. Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.