Exceptional Discoveries: The Olmsted Complications Collection
James C. Pellaton, Le Locle
A very fine keyless one-minute tourbillon watch in silver open-faced exhibition case, Circa 1930
Auction Closed
December 8, 10:03 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 40,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Movement: damascened, lever escapement mounted on a one-minute tourbillon carriage with three-arm polished steel cage, signed James C. Pellaton, Le Locle and dated to the backplate 1930
Dial: silvered, black Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, blued steel moon hands
Case: silver bezels and bands, glazed to each side
Signed: movement
Diameter: 60.5 mm
James C. Pellaton (1873-1954) was a second generation watchmaker in Le Locle and developed a reputation as one of the most accomplished watchmakers of the early twentieth century. He apprenticed under his father, Albert Pellaton Favre, who specialized in tourbillon escapements. James Pellaton dedicated his career to developing tourbillons, and together with his father produced 35 tourbillons for Patek Philippe alone. Pellaton went on to become the director of the Le Locle watchmaking school and continued to make tourbillons for notable Swiss brands, earning the reputation as the foremost tourbillon maker of the time. His distinct tourbillon carriage design can be seen on the present lot.