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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · School watch chronometer

Jean Maurice Huguenin Le Locle School Watch Chronometer

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch chronometer is catalogued as a graduate's masterpiece produced at the Le Locle Watchmaking School by Jean Maurice Huguenin, dating to circa 1967. Housed in a steel case measuring 62 mm across, it features a silvered dial inscribed 'ECOLE D'HORLOGERIE LE LOCLE'. According to the auction catalogue, the watch has a glazed screw back revealing a 50 mm bridge movement with lever escapement, Guillaume screw compensation balance, and a balance spring with two terminal curves. The source further reports an accompanying 1970 Neuchâtel Observatory rate bulletin documenting an average daily rate deviation of 0.06 seconds.

Front view of the Jean Maurice Huguenin Le Locle school watch
Front view of the Jean Maurice Huguenin Le Locle school watch — Auktionen Dr. Crott. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · School watch chronometer
Maker / attribution
Jean Maurice Huguenin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
177
Source-reported date
circa 1967
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2328

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

Object Identity and Provenance

This pocket watch is identified in the provided source as a graduate's masterpiece created at the Le Locle Watchmaking School, historically known as the École d’Horlogerie. Attributed to Jean Maurice Huguenin and dated to approximately 1967, the object is categorized as a school watch, a term used in connection with rare, complex pieces produced for technical education.

The identification relies on documentation associated with the piece, including a 1970 observatory rate bulletin from the Neuchâtel Observatory. The school's history is noted as dating back to the 1830s in the town of Le Locle.

Evidence for this section
  • “A very fine Swiss lever chronometer - graduate's masterpiece”
  • “circa 1967”
  • “Manufactured at the Le Locle Watchmaking School”
  • “The Technicum du Locle (also known as Technicum Le Locle) was a historically significant watchmaking and technical school in the Swiss town of Le Locle (Canton of Neuchâtel), which was originally founded in the 19th century as a watchmaking school (École d’Horlogerie).”

Construction and Exterior

The watch is housed in a steel case measuring 62 mm. The dial is described as silvered and is signed with the school's name.

The source report indicates the presence of a glazed screw back, though this is not independently confirmed by the visual data available. Condition of the case and dial is reported as very good.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dimensions 62 mm”
  • “Case: Steel, glazed screw back.”
  • “Dial: Silvered.”
  • “Case: very good. Dial: very good.”

Mechanism Description

The watch is powered by a 50 mm bridge movement with a lever escapement, a Guillaume screw compensation balance, and a balance spring with two terminal curves. The movement condition is described as very good and capable of running, though the source notes that cleaning is recommended.

Performance data is cited from an original bulletin from the Observatoire Astronomique et Chronométrique de Neuchâtel, issued on 9 July 1970, which documents an average daily rate deviation of 0.06 seconds.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movm.: Bridge movement, lever escapement, Guillaume screw compensation balance, balance spring with 2 terminal curves.”
  • “Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.”
  • “issued on 9 July 1970”
  • “average daily rate deviation of 0.06 seconds.”

Open research questions

  • Does the serial number 2328 correspond to specific student records at the Le Locle school for the 1967 period?
  • Is the 1970 Neuchâtel Observatory bulletin available for inspection to confirm the stated rate deviation?
  • Can the 50 mm movement caliber be verified against the physical dimensions of the watch case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jean Maurice Huguenin Le Locle School Watch Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number2328“Movm. No. 2328”
Movement Caliber50mm“Cal. 50mm”
Dimensions62 mm“Dimensions 62 mm”
CaseSteel, glazed screw back“Case: Steel, glazed screw back.”
DialSilvered“Dial: Silvered.”
OriginSwitzerland“Origin Schweiz”
SchoolLe Locle Watchmaking School“Manufactured at the Le Locle Watchmaking School”
Observatory Certificate Date9 July 1970“issued on 9 July 1970”
Weight174 g“Weight 174 g”
OriginSchweiz“Origin Schweiz”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial signed 'ECOLE D'HORLOGERIE LE LOCLE' below 12 o'clock
  • Applied baton hour markers with double baton marker at 12 o'clock
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Steel case with reeded outer rim and winding crown positioned at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Glazed case back and internal movement components described in the source are not visible in the provided image.
  • Observatory bulletin mentioned in the catalogue is not depicted.

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

Consulted source

At Auction: Jean Maurice Huguenin - School Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record a415686a96

Terms in this record

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