107th Auction

2022/11/19

Lot 317

Etienne Emile Delépine

A small ship's chronometer with 49h power reserve indicator

Sold

estimated
4.2006.000 €
Price realized
6.500 €
specific features
Case
Mahogany, brass gimbals and bowl.
Dial
Silvered.
Movement
Brass movement, signed, numbered, conical movement pillars, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, bimetallic chronometer balance with 2 weights, 2 adjusting nuts and 2 screws, freesprung blued helical balance spring.
Case no.1621
Diam.170 x 165 x 175 mm
Circa1880
Ctry.France


Etienne Emile Delépine (1848-1905) was born and lived in St. Nicholas d'Aliermont near Dieppe, France. He exhibited chronometers in Rouen 1895, and gained a Grand Prix in Paris, 1910. He entered the Trials for the French National Marine in 1886 and came 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th. He was also a great watchmaker and at one time made 2000 movements a month. He had a fine character, and was good with his staff. He fixed his own working hours which were 10-13 hours per day with no holidays. Women worked at home. Population of St. Nicholas at that time was about 2,000 of which 700-800 were horological craftswomen and craftsmen, mainly sending their products to Paris and England. All chronometers sent to the Navy had a 2-year test. If they failed, no payment was made.