Lot 436

Henri Grandjean et Cie., Le Locle, London, Movement No. 549, Case No. 549, 53 mm, 122 g, circa 1880
A precision pocket watch with centre seconds, perpetual calendar and moon phase made for the South American market
Case: 18k gold, engine-turned, lavishly florally engraved and signed gold dome. Dial: enamel. Movm.: 1/2 plate movement, cylindrical balance spring, gold screw compensation balance.
Swiss chronometer maker Henri Grandjean (1803-1889) was born in Le Locle on December 14, 1803. From 1824 until 1830 he was assigned the task of organizing the South American branches of his father’s company; in 1830 his brother Henri Gustave emigrated to Peru and was from then on in charge of these businesses. Henri Grandjean trained as a watchmaker in his home town. Around 1830 his factory "Henri Grandjean & Cie." began to build ship’s chronometers that were modelled on the English chronometers. His business partner was Edouard Thévenaz; together with Louis Jean Richard and Ulysse Nardin Grandjean was the originator of the Swiss marine chronometer production. In 1831 Grandjean married Elise Montandon, the daughter of Isaac Pierre. He was granted permission to open watchmaking schools and founded the observatory at Neuchâtel. Later Grandjean went into politics and became representative and prefect of the city of Le Locle. In La-Chaux-de-Fonds he worked for the establishment of the Quartier-Neuf, which was finally built in 1855; his intention was to eliminate real estate speculation and to create low priced housing for working-class families. A street in Le Locle was named after him - the Rue Henri-Grandjean. Henri Grandjean died on March 21, 1889 in Le Locle.
Source: http://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Grandjean,_Henri, as of 03/31/2014