Golay Files & Stahl Observatory Chronometer Pocket Watch

Inventory Number: PW2303010LC

Made in 1909, signed Golay Fils & Stahl. 53mm. Nickel Silver open-faced case. Movement no.29379. Extremely accurate, nickel-plated, keyless lever chronometer pocket watch with blue sapphire jewels, Guillaume balance. With the original 1 ST class “bulletin de marche” from the Observatoire de Genève on 24 November 1909 June and the original National Physical Laboratory in Richmond class Kew A certificate from 30 January 1910.

Movement: 20 ligne, rhodium plated, 21 blue sapphire jewels, straight-line lever escapement. Guillaume compensation balance with gold temperature and meantime adjustment screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring with a terminal curve, swan-neck micrometer regulator, and wolf’s tooth winding.

Functions: hours, minutes, and small seconds.

On loan from the private collection of Mr. Yeung Sau Wong.

Brand Brief Introduction

Golay Fils & Stahl was founded in 1837 by the clockmaker Auguste Golay-Leresche at 31, Quai des Bergues in Geneva, Switzerland. The company remained in family hands, specializing in watches, until the beginning of the 20th Century. It was then purchased by Stahl; at which time the current name came into existence. From 1896, King Carol I of Romania was a loyal customer and the firm became a jeweler of the Royal Family of Romania. Other royal customers included Kim Damrong of Siam and the Maharajah of Baroda.

In 1962, the firm was purchased by Jacques Wolfgang who headed it until he died in 1976, at which point, his son Jesse took over. Retail operations ceased in December 1997 to concentrate on wholesale activities at the high end of the jewelry market.