Lund's Patent Key

Front, Back, Face, 2nd view of face, Case mark, Cuvette, Cuvette mark, Key in pendent, Key in setting arbor, Key in winding arbor, Movement, 2nd view of movement, Pendent view.

This is the latest example of Barraud & Lund 2nd series that I am aware of and is probably the latest survivor from the series. It is very highly finished with serial number 2/9993. Each of Barraud's series apparently ran up to 9,999 so there are only 6 possible later examples. The date letter has been rubbed out on both the cuvette and case back for unknown reasons. From watches with nearby serial numbers and clear date letters, this example was likely made in 1874 or 1875. The mark should be a t.

The watch has Savage's 2 pin escapement, which is illustrated in detail on another page. The engraved barrel cover and the engraved cock mark this as one of Barraud's best watches. However, it is only jeweled to the 4th wheel and since it has the 2 pin escapement, there are only 6 jewels associated with the balance and escapement. The watch has cap jewels on the pallet and escape wheel arbors, so the total jewel count is 16. If the 3 gold pins are counted as "jewels" it has 19 jewels.

Perhaps its best feature is Lund's patent key in the pendant. At first glance the watch appears to be a keyless fuzee, but there is no visible mechanism for engaging the winding and turning the crown has no effect. There is also no nail set mechanism as would normally be seen. If you have the back open and turn the key, you can see the end of the key turn. Once you work up enough courage, you pull out the stem and find a male key that looks just like a stem for a female winding, stem wind watch. However, the watch is a keywind and is wound and set with the female arbors in the back. The key and its holding mechanism were the subject of Lund's patent.

This watch was purchased from my dear friend Mike Laux shortly before he died in January 2005. He had inherited it from his twin brother Jerry Laux who had owned it for a number of years. It was one of my favorites of Jerry's watches and I think one of his favorites as well.

Case maker HCD: Henry Charles Dewar, 26 Myddleton Street Clerkenwell, London.