Preliminary Mini-Review
I don’t think that I have ever seen anything more beautiful than this pocket watch. Keep reading to see the full details.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_1.jpg)
A typical watch face for the Chinese market, with austerely designed Roman numerals and ‘club’-shaped hands.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_2.jpg)
A fairly simple case made of thick silver. The back cover can be opened using a knob.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_3.jpg)
The inner lid with natural glass and key holes. There is an astounding view of the mechanism…
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_4.jpg)
All the covers can be opened with knobs to reveal the detailed view of the mechanism.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_5.jpg)
Inside there is a “PM” (the supplier was possibly Piguet & Meylan), and hieroglyphs. The same hieroglyphs are also stamped on the mechanism.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_6.jpg)
A richly decorated movement with two barrels and an 8-day power reserve.
Chinese duplex watches with a 30-hour coil are not uncommon but are much simpler than this. An 8-day power reserve is almost completely unique.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_7.jpg)
The wheels of the angrenage are hidden under the drums. Only the drums, the bridge, and the balance are visible, ticking as if by itself, unconnected to any wheels.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_8.jpg)
The balance has oddly shaped weights. Aesthetics and geometry are balanced perfectly, and beautifully engraved.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_9.jpg)
Craftsmen from Fleurier used several techniques for decorating: casting into a mould, stichel, and kerning. The opinion that a pattern such as this can be obtained by metal etching is erroneous.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_10.jpg)
No engraving was done underneath the bridges in order to save time and labour. The balance bridge platform is made to be moveable to adjust the engagement depth.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_11.jpg)
Everything functions well under the dial, two drum ratchets and a wheel train for the hands.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_12.jpg)
The wheel of the Chinese ‘crab’ duplex is a very interesting and unusual shape.
![](https://german242.com/en/wp-content/uploads/ch_13.jpg)
Ruby roller on the balance axis. The diameter is less than 1 mm, comparable to the thickness of a match!
The amount of human labour invested in just this one watch is impossible to imagine! It is very impressive.