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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Marine deck watch

Berthoud Frères No. 172 Marine Deck Watch

Partially verified

This marine deck watch, serial number 172, was produced circa 1822 by Berthoud Frères. Constructed in the workshop of Louis Berthoud following his death, the instrument was finished under the guidance of Henri Motel. The watch consists of a silvered regulator-type dial featuring an upper subsidiary Roman numeral hour chapter, a central minute hand, and a lower subsidiary seconds dial. The movement is a frosted and gilt full-plate design, featuring conical pillars secured by nuts, a fusee with chain, and a pivoted detent escapement. It utilizes a three-arm compensation balance equipped with wedged weights and timing screws, paired with a free-sprung blued steel helical balance spring. The mechanism is housed within a brass case, which is itself secured inside a mahogany deck watch box. The piece was originally sold to Monsieur Delaval in Marseille for 1,800 Francs and has been documented in the Léon Leroy Collection.

View of the marine deck watch in its mahogany box, alongside a separate view of the movement.
View of the marine deck watch in its mahogany box, alongside a separate view of the movement. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Marine chronometer · Marine deck watch
Maker / attribution
Berthoud Frères
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
177
Source-reported date
circa 1822
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
172

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 Dial Construction

Inside this wooden enclosure, a brass case, described as enforme de tabatière (snuff-box shape), protects the movement. The box is adorned with a plaque identifying the piece as '172 BERTHOUD'.

The dial features a silvered regulator-style arrangement. It includes a distinct subsidiary chapter for hours in Roman numerals, while the minute track is positioned along the outer border of the bezel. A subsidiary seconds dial is located below the hour chapter. The time is indicated by blued steel Breguet-style hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Triple-body mahogany deck watch type box.”
  • “Brass case enforme de tabatière secured inside the mahogany box.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a frosted and gilt full-plate calibre, fully jeweled and constructed using conical pillars that are secured with nuts and washers. Power is delivered through a fusee with chain, which includes a maintaining power mechanism. The mainspring itself is signed by Vincent and dated.

The escapement is a pivoted detent type. Regulation is achieved through a three-arm compensation balance, which incorporates three wedged weights and timing screws. The balance spring is a free-sprung blued steel helical design. The movement is signed, and while produced after Louis Berthoud's death under Henri Motel, the configuration is noted as identical to the maker's designs from 1800.

Evidence for this section
  • “with chain, maintaining power, pivoted detent escapement”

Provenance and Documentation

The chronometer has an established provenance linked to the Léon Leroy Collection, as evidenced by a paper label found inside the cover. Historical records indicate the piece was originally sold to a Monsieur Delaval in Marseille for the sum of 1,800 Francs.

The instrument is referenced in the academic publication 'La Longitude en mer à l’heure de Louis Berthoud et de Henri Motel' by J.-C. Sabrier, published by Antiquorum Editions in 1993.

Evidence for this section
  • “sold to Monsieur Delaval à Marseille, rue de Paradis No. 53, for 1,800 Francs.”
  • “This chronometer is mentioned by J.-C. Sabrier in ?La Longitude en mer à l?heure de Louis Berthoud et de Henri Motel?”
  • “This chronometer was previously in the Léon Leroy Collection, as attested by the paper label inside the cover.”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival records at the Berthoud workshop detail the transaction with Monsieur Delaval?
  • Are there extant examples of other marine deck watches from this specific batch managed by Henri Motel?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Berthoud Frères No. 172 Marine Deck Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBerthoud Frères“Berthoud Frères”
Serial Number172“No. 172”
Datecirca 1822“made circa 1822”
Original SaleSold to Monsieur Delaval, Marseille for 1,800 Francs“sold to Monsieur Delaval à Marseille, rue de Paradis No. 53, for 1,800 Francs.”
Case TypeTriple-body mahogany box containing a brass case“Triple-body mahogany deck watch type box. Brass case enforme de tabatière secured inside the mahogany box.”
EscapementPivoted detent escapement“pivoted detent escapement”
ProvenanceLéon Leroy Collection“This chronometer was previously in the Léon Leroy Collection”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with regulator layout
  • Blued steel Breguet-style hands
  • Mahogany box with '172 BERTHOUD' plaque
  • Movement features a fusee and chain

Research qualifications

  • Attribution to Louis Berthoud's workshop after his death
  • Extent of Henri Motel's direct involvement in construction

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

Consulted source

Berthoud Frères, No. 172, made circa 1822, sold to Monsieur Delaval à Marseille, rue de Paradis No. 53, for 1,800 Francs. Rare marine deck watch, made in Louis Berthoud's work-shop after his death, under the direction of Henri Motel.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 7a94d3f933

Terms in this record

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

Other marine deck watch records