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Description

Paul Garnier, Paris - A double sided open faced flyback chronograph pocket watch, circa 1890, the signed white dial, 45mm diameter, with black Roman numerals, blued spade and whip hands, subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock and baton minute track spaced with black Arabic minute indicators, crown wind movement with onion shaped winder and hand setting button at 1 o'clock, case, 54mm diameter, bezel engraved P.L.M. 742, verso snap on with white dial with multiple timing rings, crown plunger start/stop/reset chronograph mechanism, blued centre sweep and subsidiary minutes register at 3 o'clock, 123.7g grossJean-Paul Garnier, known as Paul Garnier, was an important figure in French watchmaking. He was a pupil of Jean Antoine Lépine and trained with Antide Janvier. He was the author of numerous patents, including his own escapement.He became watchmaker to King (Napoleon III) of France and the French Navy, and was a member of the French Society of Civil Engineers and Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur. He provided all the railway stations in France with station clocks and, on his retirement, gave his entire collection of watches and clocks to the Louvre Museum where a room is now named after him.After his death, the business was carried on by his son.Case - Some light surface scratches commensurate with use, together with a small bruise at 10 o'clock and a minor bruise at 7 o'clock. Would benefit from a light polish. The engraving may represent (PLM) Paris, Lyon, Marseille railway, known as the wine highway, (742), the fleet or locomotive number.Crystals - Both complete and secure, with just some very minor surface scratches and nicks commensurate with use.Movement - Appears to be in full working order, but has not been tested for timekeeping or endurance. Hand setting button and chronograph function fully operational.

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