gran Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Back from work, he invented the Tourbillon. It was in the link I gave earlier. 1795 Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the tourbillon, which he patented in 1801 Correct answer or at least this was the one I was after and imagine it was patented in 1801 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 What didn't he do? "He studied watchmaking in France and in England and invented different escapement methods, including the tourbillon, and re-winding mechanisms. His watches and clocks are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful and technically-accomplished." That pictured bust is on his grave. Unless, someone else wanted his face on their grave.... Thanks Gunnar! Been enjoying myself! Damn just read the other posts... Do I get credit for the year of the invention and patent ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 New question If you can identify this schlosser and early watchmaker I will be quite impressed One of his portable timepieces I want name, date and maybe even the nick name for these "watches" or more accurately portable clocks g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 (edited) This is a picture of Peter Henlein (1480-1542). Born and died in Nürnberg. Educated as a locksmith in 1509. Considered the inventor of the portable watch. He created the first one with balance wheel and steel spring in 1510. It had a running time of about 40 hours. His watches were eagerly copied (first rep in history, ladies and gentlemen!) - some signed by the name 'Peter Hele'. Henleins watches were cylendrical - contrary to the well-known egg-shaped watches, known as 'Nürnberg eggs', that developed after his death. So I'm sorry Gran - I don't know the nickname of Henleins watches. But I hope the other things were satisfactory. Edited May 10, 2006 by In Absentia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Great In Absentia you are a winner (I guess this was not so difficult as I said becuse I hade linked the pictures ) but we need the nickname for the watches ....anybody?well actually you haad the answer to that too namely 'Nürnberg eggs' You are the winner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 You're right - the picture of the watch was the key. However, there seem to be some discussion (at least on the webpages I've read) if Henlein's watches are also known as 'Nürnberg eggs', because they were not egg shaped - that came later. But if that's what qualifies me to win this contest, by all means let's just call them 'Nürnberg eggs' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Youre right they were first called 'Nürnberg eggs' after his death extra points to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 New question!!!! Who created this special watch and more importantly why did he come up with this practical idea of making a REVERSO? Regards Gran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 (edited) Youre right they were first called 'Nürnberg eggs' after his death extra points to you Thanks a lot Edited May 10, 2006 by In Absentia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 That is a Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso. Back in the days of colonial rule in India, a British Army officer is said to have dismounted from his polo pony in a distressed state after discovering his wristwatch had been smashed during a particularly hard-fought chukka. Striding into the clubhouse, so the story goes, he related his misfortune to an entrepreneurial watch distributor called Cesar de Trey who took the tale of horological woe all the way back to the small mountain town of Le Sentier in Switzerland, where Jacques-David LeCoultre ran a watchmaking business established by his grandfather in the 1830s. Rather than simply sending advice back to India that perhaps polo players ought to ride with their wrists unadorned, LeCoultre and his business partner Edmond Jaeger rose to the challenge of creating what could fairly be described as the first wristwatch specifically designed for a sport other than swimming. With the help of a Parisian engineer called Rene-Alfred Chauvot – whose speciality was making dental instruments – they developed a rectangular watchcase that could be swivelled 180 degrees so its glass and dial were protected. LeCoultre patented the idea in 1931 and called it the Reverso, explaining in contemporary advertising material that: “A watch, and more particularly a bracelet watch, is exposed to accidents in all spheres of social activities and sport. To be able to prevent these by a simple gesture is a very great advantage.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Ok I'm going to take a pot shot at who and say..........Jacques-David Le Coultre But the why was simple.............In 1931 the Brittish Officers in India wanted a watch the could take the many bumps of a Polo match hence the Reverso Pip Pip old chap Ken Edit to add I see I was beaten to the draw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Not bad Ken and the name I was looking for was Cesar de Trey as I now can see In Absentia has mentioned in his post Jaeger-le Coultre Reverso The polo-playing man-about-town of the 1930s was just not properly dressed unless he had a Reverso buckled to his wrist--it was the sports watch of the day. Former denture maker turned horologist (watchmaker) Cesar de Trey was visiting India in 1930 and encountered a large number of polo players, whose cracked watchglasses may well have testified to their sporting prowess, but made telling the time a bit difficult. His solution was to devise a watch that, with a quick flick, could be turned over to reveal a steel back, thus protecting the glass from stray balls and flying polo sticks. This reversible watch also allowed the vain playboy to engrave either his initials or his coat of arms on the back, turning the watch, in effect, into a testosterone-charged signet ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I wasn't sure who you ment - so I chose to mention both Cesar de Trey, Jacques-David LeCoultre and Rene-Alfred Chauvot, as they've all played a role in the development of this great watch (some might call that cheating, though, to make several guesses in the same answer...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 some might call that cheating, though, to make several guesses in the same answer Nope, when Gunnar ask's questions its best to cover all your bases. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 New question!!!! Who created this special watch and more importantly why did he come up with this practical idea of making a REVERSO? Regards Gran JLC Jaegar LeCoultre... one side is solid to protect the watch face during some strenuous activity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Nope, when Gunnar ask's questions its best to cover all your bases. Ken I'm beginning to realize that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Crap! Stop posting questions when I'm at work! From now on you can only post new questions between the times of 1330-1400 GMT (lunch) weekdays, and from 2230GMT-0100GMT Maybe then I'll have a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Absentia Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 As a matter of fact, I'm at work too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I don't log in at work. Don't like using passwords at work as I know IT can scan everything, even though I have admin rights! Besides, with this on, I would never get any work done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Nope, when Gunnar ask's questions its best to cover all your bases. Ken Now this is true g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 This questions is not about a Horologist but about a watch!!! What is so special about this particular watch? and during what period was it first made? and why were they able to make (only) this watch at the time? Regards Gunnar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 You made this too easy with the pic link...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 1943/1944 - the first Timex. It's upside down because it's a nurse's watch.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 1943/1944 - the first Timex. It's upside down because it's a nurse's watch.... ...and they only made prototypes during this time because the factory was making fuse timers for the war effort! Thank you for another great journey into the history of watchmaking!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Good jobb cornerstone its true that I have to stop linking like that "The first ever Timex watch, from US Time. The US Time Corporation had been making clocks with the "Timex" name for a short time before this, but the Timex name first appeared on a watch, in this prototype model. During the war, like most other industries, the US Time factories were converted to war production. Civilian watchmaking came to a halt. According to the well-researched book, book by Kathleen McDermott, Timex: A Company and its Community 1854-1998, "In October 1945, after using this name on a small trial shipment of nurses watches for a year - the very first time that the Timex name appeared on a watch - US Time received official rights to trademark 'Timex.'" I have confirmed with Mr. Carl Rosa, historian and curator at the Timexpo Museum in Waterbury, CT, that this is indeed the watch. It is interesting: Based on the McDermott research, the watch appears to have been shipped in 1944, probably made that same year, or maybe 1943. There was no civilian watch production at US Time, and presumably a watch designed to be worn by nurses was considered to have been in the vital interest of the war effort. Well, not a military watch, but definitely a wartime production watch" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.