Lot 83: Henry Moser & Cie., Heavy multicolor gold perpetual calendar hunting cased pocket watch for Imperial Russian Market

Henry Moser & Cie., Heavy multicolor gold perpetual calendar hunting cased pocket watch for Imperial Russian Market, Henry Moser & Cie., mechanism by LeCoultre, Swiss high grade four-year perpetual calendar pocket watch, nearly US 18-size, 52mm, original heavy 14K rose gold hunting case with signed gold cuvette also marked in French �Tobias quality,� a nod to the great English exporter, bicolor gold applied monogram, stem-wind pin-set, white enamel quadruple-sunk dial with full four-year calendar indications in Russian, aperture in seconds for lunar phases, lever escapement, 15-jewel time train, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#85165. The gross weight of the assembled watch is 99.4 dwt (154.6 g), nearly 5 troy ounces. The perpetual calendar mechanism automatically adjusts for changes in the length of months, including the February 29th change every four years. LeCoultre supplied such complicated mechanisms for many companies, including those with repeating and chronograph features in addition to this most sophisticated style of calendar. The perpetual calendar alone is seldom seen. The case bears the �56� hallmark for Russian market, where gold quality is expressed in zolotniks (four times the traditional karat system) equaling exactly 14K. The plate of the mechanism bears the trademark for Henry Moser, who by 1918 had a location in Le Locle in Switzerland as well as any prior Russian locations. He was a prolific supplier during the Russian Imperial period and shifted operations to Switzerland after the Revolution. The watch was accompanied by a Russian gold watch chain, offered separately as the next lot. The time train is in good running order, while the perpetual calendar mechanism is hung up due to dried oils and decades without use; fully disassembled cleaning and lubrication should restore the watch to full function; the movement condition is near mint overall with few microfine scratches; dial is perfect (no chips or lines), but with light etching to the glaze visible on reflection; hands are near mint; near mint case shows hardly any wear, few microfine scratches, no dents or dings, crisp monogram detail; bow is tight and bearing full gold marks, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal. This is a very rare watch in near mint condition, needing overhaul. Please note the traditional order of grading terms: Pristine � Mint � Excellent � Fine � Fair � Poor.

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