93rd Auction

2016/5/14

Lot 33

Gustav Ehrhardt, Birmingham / Deutsche Uhrmacherschule Glashuette, Movement No. 608, 55 mm, 168 g, circa 1889
An important German pocket chronometer with pivoted detent escapement, made at the German Watchmaking School in Glashuette - with extract from the archives by the watch museum Glashuette
Case: sterling silver, Hallmark: Birmingham 1889. Dial: enamel. Movm.: 3/4 plate movement, blank movement: Moritz Grossmann, gold screw compensation balance.
Shortly after opening its doors, the German watchmaking school in Glashuette had gained such an excellent reputation that a great number of foreign students applied for a place. One of them was Gustav Erhard, the son of William Ehrhardt (1831-1897), a maker of English deck watches in Birmingham. Only 11 years later Gustav Erhard created this wonderful precision timekeeper as his master’s piece. Upon his return to Birmingham the Erhardt company became a pioneer in automated serial production of deck watches for the Royal Navy. This was one of the least known but nevertheless most interesting watchmaking dynasties of its time – leading the way in the most advanced production methods and holder of numerous English patents.

estimated
22.00030.000 €
Price realized
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