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A very rare Virgule escapement pocket watch

David Walter
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I occassionly work on antique pieces if they are "Interesting", this watch in a gold case and signed on the cuvette Pournier a Geneve, fell into the "interesting" catagory..
 


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The dial is unsigned.



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The Lepine style movement is also not signed, it is possible that this is a movement made by Lepine for a business client.
The movement is "before jewels"  meaning all pivots including the balance pivots run in brass bushings and have hard steel endpieces.


The following shots are of the unique Virgule escape wheel.


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The teeth are upright to the horozintal plane of the wheel,  the wheel is very thin and the teeth show little wear.  Note the small hole drilled through the hand set square on the center  wheel, a tapered pin is fitted into this square to keep it fixed to the center arbor.



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Detail of the Virgule escape wheel teeth.


The following shots are of the Virgule balance. Note the shape of the lever fitted to the staff.
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Note the flat area and the curved lever.

The Virgule escapement is rarely seen in any condition, so it is very pleasing to see this particular example which is in execelent condition.



This message has been edited by David Walter on 2016-09-06 17:22:33

Comments:
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mpg13 September 6th, 2016-17:28
That is interesting! Thanks for showing it to us. Best, Martin
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EdwardL September 6th, 2016-21:59
Thanks David for the detail explanation.... And the perfect picture examples. Always lots to learn from you especially. Best Edward, Kong
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Alkiro1 September 6th, 2016-23:18
Thank you David for your shots and explanations. I will show your pics to my watchmaker teachers to know if they already saw something like this. Best wishes Alkiro
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ongopt September 7th, 2016-22:07
Excellent use of limited DOF to really put the focus on the parts you want highlighted. Love the series!
PhilippeTheSaint September 16th, 2016-09:46
Description in book A small description in the book “Escapements of clocks and watches” from Charles Gros. ... 
PhilippeTheSaint September 16th, 2016-10:30
Other documents in the Book of Adolphe Chapiro Drawing J-A Lepine. ... 
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