Japy - Chemin de fer - 1850-1900

Chemin de Fer Japy Pocket Watch - Manual Winding Mechanical Calibre (Late 19th Century / Early 20th Century)
Technical and Aesthetic Description
Case: Silvered or nickel-plated metal with a polished finish, robust double-cover design (savonette or hunter with protective rear cover). It features a crown with a grooved tip in a gold tone and an upper suspension bow. A side push button exists for setting the time or opening. Approximate diameter of 52.53 mm and weight of 96.39 g. Back cover engraved with the brand’s central logo (Chemin de Fer Japy).
Dial: White enamel dial with dual numeration. It displays black Roman numerals for the main hours (1 to 12) and an outer scale in red Arabic numerals marking the 13 to 24 hour format, characteristic of railway watches (Chemin de Fer). Includes a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. Highly ornate central hands in the Louis XV style, in gold/copper tones. Inscriptions at the center: "CHEMIN DE FER" and "JAPY".
Movement (Calibre): Manual-wind mechanical movement with a gold bridge, anchor escapement, and a rack-regulator marked Avance / Retard. Includes a plate bearing the inscription "GARANTI ANTI MAGNETIQUE" and the brand seal engraved on a pillar/bridge (Chemin de Fer Japy). Serial number engraved inside the case backs (120629).
Brand and Movement History
Brand Context (Japy Frères): The Japy family founded one of the most important industrial lineages in France in the Dauphiné and the Franche-Comté (Beaucourt), expanding massively in watchmaking production during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The "Chemin de Fer" (Railway) line responded to the strict need of railway workers and machinists to have highly legible and reliable chronometers, adopting the 24-hour system to prevent schedule errors on European rail lines.
Features and Rarities: This specimen stands out for its dual time scale (12/24 hours) in red and black on white enamel and the specific antimagnetic marking (Garanti Anti Magnetique), an early protective technology highly sought after by workers exposed to magnetic fields from steam locomotives and the railway environment of the era.