108th Auction
2023/5/20
Lot 153
Franz Joseph Vorauer
An important Viennese precision pocket watch with spring detent escapement and mahogany box
Sold
estimated
2.500—3.000 €
Price realized
3.400 €
specific features
Case
Silver, case maker's punch mark "MW" and case maker's signature "WAGNER".
Dial
Enamel.
Movement
Full plate movement, keywind, bimetallic chronometer balance, chased, freesprung blued helical balance spring.
Diam.60 mm
Circa1864
Ctry.Austria
Wt.183 g
An identical pocket chronometer no. 70 was owned by Austrian astronomer Theodor von Oppolzer (1841-1886), who used it during his research expeditions from 1867 to 1882. His chronometer is illustrated and described on p. 63, figs.61-65 of Frederick Kaltenböck’s "Die Wiener Uhr" (Vienna timepieces), Munich 1988.
Renowned Vienna watchmaker Franz Joseph Vorauer was born circa 1813 in Lambach and became a master maker in 1845. In addition to pocket chronometers Vorauer also made longcase clocks and the so-called "Laterndluhren", a type of pendulum wall clock. He died in Vienna in 1866.