May 26, 2006, 11:11
Lindell V. RiddleSwiss Chronograph Questions...
Swiss Chronograph Questions...
Recently a friend brought over the interesting Swiss Chronograph you'll see in the images below.
The triple-hinge case has no identification markings of any kind beyond a 25025 serial number, but it is heavy, without question solid-gold and in outstanding condition showing minimal wear. When opening the cuvette movement is presented behind a bezel and glass crystal.
No markings on the dial, but the movement is clearly marked as "E. Leonville, No. 35524" and features a crest with stylized lion holding a staff.
Any information as to when it was made, who made it or additional insights including an idea as to value would be greatly appreciated.
Six images follow...May 26, 2006, 11:32
Jerry TreimanLindell - another Leonville movement with the same crest/shield was shown in
THIS THREAD. At that time the lion in crest was thought to belong to Badollet or Meylan.
May 26, 2006, 13:28
Jerry FreedmanAccording to the book by Meyers, Leonville was registered to Mathey Bros & Mathey, NYC. See the ad on page 168 of Ehrhardt's book number 3. It is for L & A Mathey. They seem to have specialized in complicated watches. Also see page 174 of the same book. It appears Meyers may have misnamed the company. Should it be Mathey Bros. and Mathez? It looks like Meylan may have been the importer of these watches. Somewhat confusing.
May 26, 2006, 23:42
Tom McIntyreThis watch was mentioned in the other thread. It is signed Badollet and has the same lion mark.
May 27, 2006, 14:48
Sheila GilbertMaybe some questions here would help?
Only a e-mail addy, but also shows the Mark on the page!!!
http://www.badollet.com/May 27, 2006, 17:41
Ed UeberallConfusing is right!
Kathy Pritchard, in
Swiss Timepiece Makers 1775 - 1975 shows the Badollet lion facing to the
right, Tom's movement and the Badollet web page shows it facing to the
left. Kathy also had the C. H. Meylan lion facing left, possibly the figures' direction got reversed in error, or the right facing lion may have been the trademark of
J. M. Badollet & Co. rather than of
J. J. Badollet & Co.. The name changed from J. M. to J. J. in 1890. Pritchard reports that J. J. Badollet and Meylan did cooperate together and may have shared the same (left facing) trademark.
May 27, 2006, 18:44
Sheila GilbertOKOKOKOKOKOK if Ed and Lindell are stumped, you better tell your friend that there is NO HOPE of EVER finding out what it is! LOLOLOL
It's SO GREAT to see the Pro's stumped!!!!!!
YESYESYES
OK I'm alright now.
I've searched so much my brain is dead.
May 27, 2006, 21:44
Ed UeberallMy best guess is that the chronograph was made by Meylan or by J.J. Badollet (possibly using Meylan parts), imported by Mathey and cased in the US, either by the importer or by the retailer. Since I think the case may not be original due to the way the lever slot is cut (its not parallel to the lever itself), it is most likely sized to fit a standard American (or Canadian) case.
There, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! (at least until more evidence is found).
May 29, 2006, 07:29
Mike HarroldReturning to the Swiss chrono shown above, the chrono mechanism appears to be of the C. H. Meylan patent. You can compare it to the Waltham-Meylan chronos. There is some connection between Mathey Bros. and Meylan. I thought I had a copy of an ad which carries both names, but cannot find anything.
Mike