Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva Gold Hunting Cased Keyless Pocket Chronometer No. 85

Technical characteristics

Type

Hunterd keyless pocket chronometer

Place recorded

Switzerland

Balance and Spring

Bi-metallic compensation balance with blued steel helical spring

Maker / attribution

Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva

Movement Inscriptions

Signed barrel bridge with patent dates

Design

Visible features

• White enamel dial signed 'Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position. • Radial black Roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, and an outer minute track. • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock calibrated with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals. • Open hunting-case front cover showing a polished inner bezel and the edge of engine turning on the outer face. • Fluted gold winding crown situated at 3 o'clock with an articulated oval suspension bow.

Dial and External Presentation

The pocket chronometer presents an open hunting-case format housing a white enamel dial signed 'Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva'. The dial layout consists of black Roman numeral hour indices surrounded by an outer minute ring, accompanied by blued steel moon hands. Positioned at 6 o'clock is a large, sunken subsidiary seconds register calibrated with Arabic numerals at ten-second increments. The yellow gold case is catalogued as 18ct gold measuring 54.5 mm in diameter. Visible physical characteristics include a polished inner front bezel, engine-turned exterior covers, a polished case band, and a fluted gold winding crown situated at the 3 o'clock position with an articulated oval pendant and bow.

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

According to the auction catalogue description, the internal mechanism is a nickel movement finished with damascened plates and bridges. It incorporates Potter's patented pivoted detent escapement and bridge layout, a large free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, and a blued steel helical spring. The movement train bridge is catalogued as numbered 85. The source records multiple patent markings across the movement components. The balance cock is catalogued as engraved 'Escapement Pat. Oct. 11.75', while the main plate carries the marking 'Plate des n Pat. Jan. 4.76'. The barrel bridge reportedly bears both the maker signature and the marking 'Pat. Oct. 11.75'.

Casework Evidence and Attribution Uncertainties

The housing is described with a snap-on glazed cuvette over the movement and dual reference numbers inside the case back: '68709, 137'. The auction house notes that the case is 'not stamped with Potter's trademark', though it asserts that the design 'typifies Potter's style.' The catalogue speculates that the watch 'was likely exported to America and cased there in order to avoid the high tariffs on Swiss-made gold cases imported into the United States.' However, without visible case maker hallmarks or exporter documentation, the exact origin and workshop of the gold case cannot be independently verified from the provided record.

Identification

Serial number

85

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.