Charles Ami Lecoultre Diablotine 1/4 Jump Split Seconds Chronograph Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1887
This antique pocket watch is an 18kt yellow gold hunter-cased timepiece crafted by Swiss watchmaker Charles Ami Lecoultre, dating according to the source to circa 1887.
The 55 mm watch incorporates a split-seconds chronograph mechanism alongside a diablotine complication, featuring a subsidiary dial that reportedly advances in quarter-second increments while the chronograph operates. The white dial displays Arabic numeral hour markers, two vertically arranged sub-dials, central chronograph hands, and a signature reading 'C. Ami Lecoultre'. The seller reports that both the dial and movement are signed and bear an 1887 patent date.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Split-seconds chronograph pocket watch with diablotine
- Patent Date
- 1887
- Case Diameter
- 55 mm
- Case Material
- 18kt yellow gold
- Complications
- Split-seconds chronograph and diablotine 1/4 jump seconds
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Charles Ami Lecoultre
Design
- Visible features
- • Yellow gold hunter case shown with the front cover open to the left • White dial with black Arabic numerals, outer railway track, and red five-minute/seconds numerals • Two subsidiary dials positioned vertically at 12 and 6 o'clock • Signed 'C. Ami Lecoultre' across the central dial horizontal axis • Large fluted onion crown with attached bow positioned at 3 o'clock, with chronograph pusher nearby on the band
- Case Construction
- The watch is housed in an 18kt yellow gold hunter case reported to measure 55 mm across. Photographic evidence shows the front cover hinged open to the left. A large fluted onion crown and attached bow are mounted at the 3 o'clock position, accompanied by an adjacent chronograph control pusher positioned along the case band.
- Dial Configuration and Display
- The timepiece features a white dial detailed with black Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer railway track, and red five-minute or seconds numerals along the perimeter. Running across the central horizontal axis is the signature reading 'C. Ami Lecoultre'. Two subsidiary dials are arranged vertically at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. The vendor describes the bottom subsidiary dial as the diablotine register, which jumps forward every quarter-second when the chronograph is running.
- Mechanism and Source Limitations
- According to the seller, the movement incorporates a split-seconds chronograph alongside a 'diablotine' or 1/4 jump seconds complication, in which the lower subsidiary hand advances in quarter-second intervals while the chronograph is engaged. The seller also reports that the movement bears the Ami Lecoultre signature and an 1887 patent date. These mechanical features, internal movement signatures, patent markings, and cuvette hallmarks are not visible in the available imagery, which depicts only the dial and open front case. Consequently, mechanical attributes, caliber architecture, and the circa 1887 dating reflect seller statements rather than direct visual observation.
Identification
- SKU
- EJEN 1 P
- 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.
Research required
- Research required: Movement is not visible in the provided image; movement signatures and 1887 patent mark are source-reported
- Research required: Cuvette and case markings are not visible