A. LANGE & SOHN: Important half-second bridge... Lot 190

A. LANGE & SOHN: Important half-second bridge chronometer, Glashütte, N°64872. Silver case partially guilloched, case and movement numbered 64872. Marked A; Lange & Sohn Glashûtte, Dresden, No. 64872, KuK (Kriegsmarine). Presented in a wooden case. Diameter Ø63mm, Weight: 193g. Probably delivered to the Imperial and Royal Hydrographic Institute of Pola in 1914. Condition: to be restored, balance shaft (duplex escapement) to be changed, sold as is. These extremely rare Glashütte chronometers were made for maritime purposes. The watches were built with 14400 half-oscillations in one hour, so that the second hand is capable of jumping by half a second. All are equipped with a pivoting detent escapement, which was built in two versions: a Berthoud-style chronometer escapement and a Grossmann-style chronometer escapement with an additional safety lever to prevent the escape wheel from racing after removing the balance wheel. Source: Reinhard Meis "A. Lange & Söhne" Munich 1997, pages 211-212. According to the Lange & Söhne archives, this watch was part of a delivery of 20 half-second bridge chronometers No. 64861-64880 to the Imperial and Royal Hydrographic Institute in Pola. For a similar model, see the May 2018 Dr. Cott Collection auction.