Henri Chatelain - Technical instrument - France - 1900-1910 - 100,000-Step Pedometer

Henri Chatelain Mechanical 100,000-Step Paceometer / Pedometer - Ornate DEPOSE Belt Clip - c.1900-1920

This is a highly unusual early mechanical paceometer / pedometer by Henri Chatelain of Paris, designed to record walking movements through an elaborate multi-register mechanical counting system.

Henri Chatelain produced sophisticated mechanical pedometers and paceometers around the turn of the 20th century. Comparable Henri Chatelain instruments are preserved in major museum collections, including the Science Museum Group.

The movement carries the characteristic markings:

15676
BREVETE
DRGM
SGDG
100237
HC

The same combination of markings is documented on museum-held Henri Chatelain pedometers dating from approximately 1900-1920.

100,000-step multi-register display

The white dial has an exceptionally distinctive mechanical counting layout.

The large central hand works together with three subsidiary registers marked:

1,000
10,000
100,000

allowing very large accumulated counts to be displayed mechanically.

The fine black numerals and scales are complemented by attractive blue-toned hands, giving the instrument a highly characteristic early-20th-century appearance.

Mechanical movement and function

The original mechanical counting movement is visible by opening the case back.

The movement retains its weighted counting mechanism, blued screws and characteristic Henri Chatelain patent markings.

The mechanical counting mechanism is functioning.

When the instrument is moved or shaken, the hands advance.

The reset mechanism also functions correctly.

In a hand test, approximately 2,000 movements produced a reading very close to 2,000, demonstrating that the mechanical counting system remains active more than a century after manufacture.

As an antique mechanical instrument, sensitivity varies depending on how and where it is worn.

Ornate suspension clip

The instrument retains a highly decorative suspension / belt clip with engraved floral ornament.

The clip is marked:

DEPOSE

This surviving period clip gives the instrument particularly strong visual character and reflects the way mechanical pedometers of this type were originally worn.

Case and matching marks

The nickel-plated brass case has developed an attractive aged surface with visible wear and patina.

The inside of the case back is marked:

1C
470

Corresponding small assembly marks are also visible on the case rim, showing that the case body and back were matched as a set.

Dimensions

Case diameter: approximately 45.2 mm
Overall length including suspension clip: approximately 82.4 mm
Thickness: approximately 13.6 mm
Weight: approximately 60.5 g

Condition

This is an antique mechanical measuring instrument dating from the early 20th century and shows natural signs of age and use.

The dial has small spots, marks and age-related patina.

The case and clip show scratches, plating wear, oxidation and age-related surface marks.

The mechanical counting system is functioning and the reset mechanism operates correctly.

The internal movement and its historic maker / patent markings remain clearly visible.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Important information

This is an antique mechanical pedometer / paceometer rather than a modern electronic step counter.

The counting mechanism is functioning, but sensitivity varies depending on the way the instrument is worn and moved.

It is offered primarily as a historic mechanical measuring instrument and collector's object.

Shipping

The instrument will be carefully packed and shipped from Japan with tracking.

Customs duties, import taxes and other charges imposed in the destination country are the responsibility of the buyer.

With its elaborate 100,000-step multi-register dial, Henri Chatelain patented movement, ornate DEPOSE suspension clip and fully functioning mechanical counting system, this is an especially distinctive and highly collectible example of early portable mechanical measuring technology.