90th Auction

2014/11/15

Lot 318

Droz & Cie., St. Imier, Brevete, S.G.D.G., 52 mm, 115 g, circa 1900
An extremely rare phonotelemeter with two dials, comprising fifteen seconds chronograph, ten minutes register, sound telemeter, kilometer gauge and compass - a device consisting essentially of a stopwatch, for estimating the distance of guns in action by measuring the interval between the flash and the arrival of the sound waves from the discharge. With box.
Case: silver, tiered, small wheel in the bottom part of the band for the distance gauge. Dial: front side - enamel, Arabic numerals, outer 15 seconds chronograph, inner 5 kilometer telemeter ring, blued pointer, signature: "Mr le Ministre de la guerre appelle l'attention de M. M. les officiers sur l'emploi de ce Phonotélémètre" ("The Minister of War informs the officers on the use of the sound telemeter"). Back side - enamel, radial Roman hours, outer gauge scale calibrated for 20 kilometers, inner gauge scale calibrated for 15 kilometers, blued spade hands. Movm.: mechanical bridge movement, nickel-plated, lever escapement.

Sold

estimated
1.3002.000 €
Price realized
1.400 €