108th Auction

2023/5/20

Lot 318

Onésime Dumas

A fine, small ship's chronometer with 49h power reserve, sold by A. H. Rodanet à Paris

Sold

estimated
3.5006.000 €
Price realized
4.300 €
specific features
Case
Mahogany.
Dial
Silvered.
Movement
Brass movement, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, bimetallic chronometer balance with 2 weights and 4 screws.
Case no.132 D
Diam.165 x 165 x 170 mm
Circa1860
Ctry.France


Onésime Dumas (1824-1889) was the nephew of Henri Motel and apprenticed with him. He was also a student with Perrelet and C.A. Berthoud. Dumas took over Victor Gannery's shop in 1851.
Auguste Hilaire Rodanet (1837-1907) was the son of Julien Hilaire Rodanet and the uncle of Henri Rodanet. Auguste was born on June 5, 1837 in Rochefort Sur Mer and was a watchmaker and retailer as well as Patek Philippe's representative in France. In 1858 he won a silver medal for a chronometer at the age of 21.
In 1886/1887 Rodanet wrote the book "L'horlogerie astronomique et civile. Ses usages - ses progrès - son enseignement à Paris", which was published in 1903. In 1890 he founded the brand "Horlogerie Rodanet de Paris". Auguste Hilaire Rodanet was mayor of the 2nd Arrondissement in Paris from 1904 to 1907 and president of the "Ecole d'Horlogerie". Rodanet was also received into the Legion of Honour. He died 70 years old in 1907.