Lot 269

Christian Friedrich Tiede, Berlin, Movement No. 332, 170 x 180 x 170 mm, circa 1870
A small ship's chronometer with 56h power reserve
Case: mahogany, gimbals and bowl with protective case. Dial: silvered. Movm.: brass movement, 73 mm, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, bimetallic chronometer balance with 2 screws and 4 weights.
Friedrich Tiede (1794-1877)
Tiede studied watchmaking in Wismar. He subsequently studied at Delolme in Braunschweig and later on at Gutkaes in Dresden. There he became close friends with Adolf Lange. Since the circumstances in his homeland did not favour his return, he established himself in Berlin, where he manufactured chronometers and excellent precision regulators. Even though he possessed letters of commendation from Alexander von Humbolt and several other great scholars, he remained modest and would constantly strive to help the people around him. He particularly supported Ferdinand Adolf Lange, taking frequent to Glashütte to see him and giving him valuable advice. In 1838 obtained a patent as the royal astronomical watchmaker at court.