Simon Vissière

, Movement No. 336, 165 x 180 x 165 mm, circa 1870

A rare, fine ship's chronometer with 49h power reserve indicator and experimental chronometer balance with additional compensation

Case: mahogany. Dial: silvered. Movm.: brass movement, spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, bimetallic chronometer balance with 4 screws and 2 weights each on bimetallic supports.

Simon Vissière (1822-1887) was a pupil of Joseph Thaddäus Winnerl; he himself was the teacher of renowned makers such as Leroy and Richard Lange. He was born in Paris and later moved to Le Havre, where he opened a workshop and his own observatory. Vissière gained a name as a maker of exquisite marine chronometers and was an early user of antimagnetic materials for chronometers.
Chronometer no. 336 is a fine example of French watchmaking. The fairly small and unostentatious movement is in excellent condition, as is the chronometer as such. It features interesting details such as the jumping power reserve indicator and particularly the balance with its striking compensation mechanism: The weights sit on two round bimetallic supports that have been screwed on the balance wheel. This is possibly the construction Vissière had patented in 1876, as described by Mercer.
#43313

Case: very good, slightly worn
Dial: very good
Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended