Moynier Retrograde Flyback Seconds Pocket Watch

Inventory number: PW1809015

Made by Jean-Gabriel Moynier circa 1830, 40.5mm, 18K rose gold open-face case. The present watch is a particularly attractive example taking inspiration from Breguet in the design of the fine engine-turned silver dial and gold case. The retrograde second function is a great visual delight, it is operated from a steel pinion geared to the third wheel and a further sprung wheel on the dial plate causes the hand to fly back to zero after 60 seconds.

Functions: hours, minutes and retrograde flyback seconds. 

Only very few watches with retrograde flyback seconds are known before the 20th century, therefore this timepiece may be one of the earliest works of retrograde flyback seconds currently.

Retrograde Hand

Retrograde can be used in hour hand, minute hand, second hand and calendar hand, unlike the common circular motion, the retrograde hand moves along with arc- scale, and at the end of its cycle, returns immediately to zero and begin again.

About Watchmaker

Jean-Gabriel Moynier (1772-1840) was a member of the Moynier dynasty of watchmakers and enamellers working in Geneva from the mid-18th to mid-19th centuries.