Jurgensen Presidential Chronometer
Fine, important and rare Jules Jurgensen keywind 18K gold hunting case pocket chronometer with pivoted
detent escapement, with a naval presentation from the President of the United
States, with original box and certificate circa 1858.
Heavy 18K gold engine turned hunting case with only the slightest pocket wear.
White enamel dial with blued steel Breguet hands.
Lightly faded nickel 20 jewel pivoted detent chronometer movement with gold escutcheons.
The dust cover ingraved "The President of the United States to Captain P.E. Westman
of the Swedish Ship "Thor" for his humane & generous Conduct towards the
Captain, Crew, & Passengers of the American Ship "Helen." 1858."
With original brass bound wooden box and original certificate. It is appropriate that the President
presented a Jules Jurgensen watch since they were one of the best makers of the time, and also
that it is a pocket chronometer, the most accurate pocket watch of the time and necessary
for precise navigation at sea.
The watch predates the creation of the 'Official Award to Non Citizens of the
United States of America for Saving Lives at Sea", which was approved between
1862 and 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. This accounts for the fact that
this watch does not bear the Presidential seal. It also predates the later use
of Waltham watches for presidential presentations.
Historical records note a ship called the Helen which had presumably started out as
a civilian vessel, but was purchased in 1858 by US Coast Guard for use as a tender
in the 6th Lighthouse Fleet. In 1861, she would be captured by Confederate forces
off South Carolina and would be put to use for the Southern cause. The ship
would meet her ultimate demise in 1863 in the Florida Keys when she was captured
and burned by the U.S. Navy.
It is not clear whether the involvement with the Swedish ship Thor and her crew
occurred before or after the Helen went into military use.
This watch comes with copious records from the National Archives.
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5926
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$31,000
| | | Excellent
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Diameter 59 mm
| | | Excellent
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Circa 1858
| | | Excellent
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NOTE: The small circles or blemishes in some of our photos are reflections of the camera lens.
