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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Chronograph pocket watch

Antique Le Phare pocket watch chronograph

Partially verified

According to the seller, this open-face pocket watch chronograph is powered by the stem-winding Le Phare calibre 114 VCC movement. The watch features a 50mm nickel case with an acrylic crystal. Its white dial bears the inscription 'PRODUCTION PAR HEURE' alongside graduated calculation tracks designed to compute average hourly production output. It displays time using Arabic numerals, with subsidiary dials recording constant seconds at 6 o'clock and up to 30 chronograph minutes at 12 o'clock, operated through a pusher located atop the winding crown.

Front view of the Le Phare pocket watch chronograph dial showing the production scale and sub-dials
Front view of the Le Phare pocket watch chronograph dial showing the production scale and sub-dials — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Chronograph pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Le Phare
Reference
114 VCC
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a10899
Source-reported date
c1910
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Configuration

This open-face pocket watch features a nickel case measuring 50 mm in diameter, excluding the winding stem and suspension loop. The dial is fitted with an acrylic lens.

Operation of the chronograph complication is integrated directly into the winding crown via a top-mounted push button that starts, stops, and resets the chronograph mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The case is nickel and it is in good condition.”
  • “The acrylic lens is in good condition.”
  • “The chrono feature is started, stopped and re-set by pressing the button on top of the winding crown.”

Dial and Production Scale

The white dial features Arabic hour numerals, minute divisions, and two subsidiary dials: a 30-minute totalizer below 12 o'clock and a continuous running seconds counter above 6 o'clock. Visual observation shows poire-style hour and minute hands accompanied by a central chronograph seconds hand.

The dial displays the inscription 'PRODUCTION PAR HEURE' alongside graduated calculation tracks. The seller explains that this scale was intended to calculate output by timing an activity from start to completion, allowing the chronograph hand to indicate an average hourly production rate.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial has the wording, ‘Production par heure’ which tell us that this chronograph was intended to measure output.”
  • “To measure an hourly rate, the chronograph must be started at the start of a task and stopped at the end of it. The hand then indicates the average production rate per hour.”
  • “The dial has two subsidiary dials, one for constant seconds and the other records up to 30 minutes.”
  • “White dial featuring an outer 'PRODUCTION PAR HEURE' scale, inner red track, Arabic hour numerals, and minute division track.”
  • “Subsidiary 30-minute counter positioned below 12 o'clock and constant seconds dial positioned above 6 o'clock.”
  • “Poire-style hour and minute hands with a counterpoised central chronograph seconds hand.”

Reported Movement and Operating Limitations

The seller reports that the watch is powered by a stem-winding Le Phare calibre 114 VCC movement, noting that a hunter-case version was also manufactured under calibre 114 CC. Internal movement markings, caliber stamps, and bridge engravings are not documented in the available imagery.

The listing notes specific mechanical operating cautions: when reset, the chronograph hand comes to rest slightly to the right of zero, and the chronograph complication is not intended to run continuously.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a stem-winding movement, the Le Phare calibre 114 VCC, which is working nicely. This calibre was also produced as a hunter version, 114 CC.”
  • “When re-set, the hand sets slightly to the right of zero.”
  • “Please note that the chronograph feature is not designed to be running constantly.”

Open research questions

  • Are there specific serial numbers, maker hallmarks, or calibre stamps visible on the movement plates or inside the nickel caseback?
  • Is the slight offset to the right of zero upon reset due to hand slippage on the chronograph arbor or wear on the heart cam reset hammer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Antique Le Phare pocket watch chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement CalibreLe Phare calibre 114 VCC“The watch has a stem-winding movement, the Le Phare calibre 114 VCC, which is working nicely.”
Case Diameter50mm“The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Case MaterialNickel“The case is nickel and it is in good condition.”
Dial InscriptionPRODUCTION PAR HEURE“The dial has the wording, ‘Production par heure’ which tell us that this chronograph was intended to measure output.”
Chronograph ControlButton on winding crown“The chrono feature is started, stopped and re-set by pressing the button on top of the winding crown.”
Crystal MaterialAcrylic“The acrylic lens is in good condition.”
Related Calibre VariantLe Phare calibre 114 CC (hunter version)“This calibre was also produced as a hunter version, 114 CC.”
Seller Date Attributionc1910“Date c1910 1910s”

Visible details

  • Open-face pocket watch with top crown pusher and bow.
  • White dial featuring an outer 'PRODUCTION PAR HEURE' scale, inner red track, Arabic hour numerals, and minute division track.
  • Subsidiary 30-minute counter positioned below 12 o'clock and constant seconds dial positioned above 6 o'clock.
  • Poire-style hour and minute hands with a counterpoised central chronograph seconds hand.

Research qualifications

  • The dealer states that when reset, the chronograph hand aligns slightly to the right of zero.
  • Movement calibre identification (calibre 114 VCC) is source-reported and not directly observable from the dial view.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Antique Le Phare Pocket Watch Chronograph as170a10899

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 33c1bcfbff

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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