Jean Paris A Paris, circa 1660.Very fine and unusual 20 ct. gold, pair-cased, filigree, diamond-set pre-balance spring, single-hand watch.

C. Outer: two-body, the back decorated in a delicate design of flowers with raised gold heads, foliage and scrolls. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished, curved-in edge, diamond-set bezel split at the square hinge for glass retention, short pendant, loose ring. D. White enamel, Roman chapters with half-hour markers, inner quarter-hour ring. Blued-steel hand. M. 28.2 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, vase baluster pillars, fusee and gut-line, short four-wheel train, verge escapement, two-arm seel balance without spring, elongated gilded cock pierced and engraved with symmetrical foliage, worm and wheel set-up.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 40 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 82-83.

Ferdinand Berthoud, Montre Astronomique No. 3, Invenit 1775, Reduite et Executee par Jean Martin An 1806, casemaker's mark PBT, No. 2591, for P.B. Tavernier.Extremely fine and unique silver astronomical pocket chronometer with centre seconds and balance amplitude indication, made for Jean Chaptal, Comte de Chanteloup, celebrated physician and politician.

C. Four-body, 'Empire', reeded band, the polished back engraved with the crest of Jean Antoine Claude Chaptal, Comte de Chanteloup, silver hinged cuvette. D. Small eccentric silver chapter ring with Roman chapters and outer Arabic minute ring, silver Arabic seconds numerals ring on the border of the bezel. Frosted and gilt dial plate with glazed aperture for the balance amplitude indication at 4 o'clock. Blued-steel Breguet hands with skeletonised tips. M. 51 mm o, gilt brass bridge calibre, fuse and chain, fully jewelled including the fusee, Harrison's maintaining power, early form of pivoted detent with jewelled pallets and impulse pin, four-arm compensation balance with gold nut poising weights and gold timing screws, and around its edge, four bimetallic strips with gold poising nuts on their free ends, free-sprung blued-steel balance spring mounted in a stud between two blocks with a slot in the middle for a screw, this arrangement allowing the balance spring to be set concentricaly with the balance staff.Signed on the dial plate. Signed on the dial, case stamped with casemaker's markDiam. 59 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 184-185.

George Margetts, London, No. 312, circa 1785, casemaker's mark FC incuse, for Frederick Comtesse, hallmarked 1813.Very fine and extremely rare large silver astronomical watch.

C. Three-body, 'bassine et filets', engine-turned back cover, polished band and bezel, gilded dust cap.D. Consists of four concentric white enamel discs, one gold disc, and two gold frames. Except for the fixed mean time dial at the centre, bearing the names of eight British ports: Portsmouth, London, Hull, Yarmouth, Dover, Downs, Plymouth and Dublin, the gold vertical North indicator and the two gold parallel parabolas, everything rotates clockwise, including the main dial and the 24 hour tidal dial. The tides at the eight English ports shown on the central dial can be read off the tidal dial towhich the moon hand is fixed. This hand shows the latitude of the moon on the gold four-spoked engraved ring, as well as indicating its position in the Zodiac and declination in degrees on the nearest of the main dial's outer circles. One of the spokes of the ring is engraved with a dragon whose extended tail points to the sign and degree of the Zodiac marked on the second of the three outer circles. The outer circle has an annual calendar which can be read against the sun hand, and this hand alo indicates the sun's declination and position in the Zodiac. The observer's horizon is indicated by the tangential parabola, while the space between it and the inner parabola is the astronomical twilight zone. In the area of the dial enclosed by them can be seen the rise, southing and fall of the constellations. The age of the moon is shown engraved on gold through a circular aperture in the twenty-four hour tidal dial. When there is an eclipse a black spot will show, a large one for an eclipseof the moon, a small one for the sun. The numerous indications on this complex dial are achieved with a special train of sixteen gears. Gold 'beetle and poker' hands. M. 56.7 mm o, gilt brass full plate with circular column pillars, fusee and chain with Harrison's maintaining power, cylinder escapement, large steel escape wheel, plain steel three-arm balance with blued-steel flat balance spring, overbanking pin on the balance rim, cock pierced and engraved with a classical bust within an oval frme, endstone, table and plate with elaborate foliate engraving, rack and pinion regulator with a silver plate.Signed on the movement and the dust cap.Accompanied by a copy of the original description.Diam. 66 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 164-165.

The MandolinPiguet et Capt, No. 191, circa 1810.Very fine and extremely rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set mandolin form watch with concealed dial, music and automata.

C. Two-body, spring-loaded, the back with alternating sections of translucent red enamel over a flinqué ground and black enamel sectors with gold floral and foliate decoration, soundboard with matching translucent red enamel, also over a flinque ground with a central rosette and with half pearl-set border. The watch is mounted inside the back, the automaton with chased varicoloured gold figures set against a painted enamel wooded landscape inside the soundboard. It shows a lady harpist playing,gentleman dancing a jig, and a little bird fluttering its wings in time to the music. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer Arabic minutes. Gold 'spearhead' hands. M. 20 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, continental cock, rack and pinion regulator with a silver plate.The automaton and musical movement driven by the pinned barrel playing on five tuned teeth, six-wheel train, the last pinion in eccentric adjustable bushing to regulate the tempo of the music, the movement of the player's hand controlled by a cam mounted on the second wheel pinion, the movement of the dancer by pins set on the bottom of the barrel.Music movement scratched: Piguet et Capt à Genève, stamped 191.Dim. 70 x 32 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 440-441.

The LyreAttributable to Piguet & Capt, circa 1810.Amusing and rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set lyre-shaped musical automaton.

C. One side decorated with a vase of gold and white flowers against a translucent blue background over a flinqué ground, the winding aperture in one of the petals, the horns decorated with a floral and foliate pattern against matching blue enamel, suspended from a double gold chain.The automaton figures in multicoloured gold over polychrome enamel with a rural landscape and ruins in the background; a seated lady plays a hurdy-gurdy, a boy behind her taps his foot, a man dances to the music.M. 25 mm o, circular, the automaton and musical movement driven by the pinned barrel playing on five tuned teeth, six-wheel train, the last pinion in eccentric adjustable bushing to regulate the tempo of the music, the dancer driven by pins mounted on the flat part of the barrel, the boy's leg by the same, the hurdy-gurdy motion from an extra pinion driven from the barrel but not connected to the train.Dim: width 33 mm, length 64 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 440-441.

Love and ProsperityAmalric Frères, Genève, No. 20117, circa 1810.Very fine and amusing 18 ct. gold and enamel form watch with concealed dial, in the shape of a scent bottle.

C. Two-body, entirely decorated in azure, black and white champleve enamel, the spring-loaded top revealing the dial, the sides decorated with flowers and symbols of Love and Prosperity, gold threaded stopper decorated en suite. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 18.5 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, continental cock.Signed on dial and movement, stamped with mark in the case.Dim. 70 x 23 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 448-449.

Love and ProsperityPiguet & Capt à Genève, No. 124, circa 1807.Very fine and amusing 18 ct. gold and enamel musical scent bottle.

C. Two-body, the front central cartouche painted on enamel with garden fruits in the foreground and flower basket and garden in the background, the back central cartouche decorated with an allegory of Music in green champlevé enamel, both sides framed by Imperial blue and red translucent enamel over a flinque ground with cornucopias and a quiver and arrows as symbols of Love and Prosperity. Gold threaded stopper.Musical movement: 28 x 33mm., pinned barrel with six separate teeth, three mounted on the top plate, three on the bottom, six-wheel train, the last pinion acting as a governor and set in eccentric bushing for regulating the tempo of the music, continuous Maltese stopwork.Scratched 'Piguet Lot Capt a Geneve, No 124' on the back of the movement, top cover stamped inside G·D.Dim. 81 x 33 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 448-449.

The HarpUnsigned, Geneva, circa 1810.Very fine and amusing 18 ct. gold and enamel pearl and diamond-set musical form watch in the shape of harp.

C. Front of the soundboard painted on enamel with an allegory of Music, below, within a half pearl frame is the watch, the sides with applied gold allegory of Love, the rest decorated in Imperial blue enamel, the pegs for the gold strings set with diamonds. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions, set within a trapezoidal pearl-set bezel, dark blue champlevé plate with gold floral pattern. Blued-steel 'spearhead' hands.M. Trapezoidal, gilt brass full plate, circular pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, blued-steel flat balance spring, continental cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical scrolling foliage. The musical movement with pinned barrel playing on five teeth, five-wheel train, interesting speed regulation by a pin protruding through the case which changes the position of the last pinion bushing.Dim. 79 x 44 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 442-443.

The NangaUnsigned, first half of the 19th century.Fine 18 ct. gold and enamel form watch in the shape of an Egyptian nanga.

C. Two putti painted in grisaille over a blue enamel ground on the inside of the soundboard, with applied diamond-set crescent and a star, arched stem and neck terminating in a snake's head, the back with a pattern radiating out from the centre, in green and red enamel. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 24 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, continental cock, rack and pinion regulator with a silverlate.Dim. 70 x 30 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 442-443.

J. Rousseau, probably Jean Rousseau, Geneva, circa 1630.Very fine and very rare gold and gilt metal and rock crystal pre-balance spring, single-hand oval pendant watch.

C. Three-body, gilt brass, the band with oval hinged rings and oval rock crystal, the bezels set with domed rock crystal and engraved with delicate foliage on the inside and a geometrical pattern on the outside, cast metal pendant, loose ring. D. Gold, Roman black champlevé enamel numerals, decorated with blue, green and red champlevé enamel. Blued-steel hand. M. 25 x 28 mm o, gilt brass full plate with vase baluster pillars, fusee and gut line, four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, verge escpement, plain two-arm brass balance without spring, elongated gilt one-footed cock secured by a screw and pierced and engraved with foliage, ratchet wheel and click set-up.Signed on the movement.Dim. 50 x 32 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 54-55.

The Virgin as Protectress of MessinaItalian, enamel painter's signature Bruno F, for Giuseppo Bruno Fecit in Messina, movement engraved with the initials NK, circa 1640.Magnificent and highly important 20 ct. gold and enamel pendant watch decorated with scenes from the lives of Saint Francis of Paola and St. John the Baptist, and the harbour of Messina.

C. Two-part, 'bassine fermée', interior and exterior with painted enamel scenes relating to the life of Saint Francis of Paola, who gathered about him a community of followers whose Rule was based on that of the Franciscans. The front cover depicts him, according to legend, calming a storm in the Straits of Messina. He spread his cloak on the waters, also using it as a sail and his staff as a mast, thus enabling his companions to pass safely across. His motto of 'caritas' (charity) is shown in asunburst. The arms on the cloak are those of the Aragon-Pennafort family, under whose protection the island of Sicily fell in the mid-fifteenth century, and where the Saint had established a community. The scene on the back of the case is a view of the town of Messina and its cathedral dedicated to the Madonna della Lettera, in which, until it was destroyed by Allied bombardment in 1943, there was the Byzantine icon reproduced inside the front cover. The band of the gold case is enamelled en rone bosse with flowers and foliage on a matted ground, in a style typical of Sicilian enamelled jewellery of the period. The signature Bruno F. is visible beneath the scene of Messina. The engraving is by Jean Bazin after a painting by De Boulogne Le Vieux. The enamel inside the case back shows St. John the Baptist in a landscape which may well be the town of Messina, with its castle and city walls, the inside band repeats the floral motif of the outside one, ring pendant. D. Gilded, with Roman chpters, quarter-hour divisions, the centre engraved with flowers. Single gilt brass hand. M. 41 mm o, gilt brass full plates, turned vase baluster pillars, fusee of four turns with original long-hook chain, barrel with cover secured by pins, five-wheel train with second wheel with six-leaf pinion, the other wheels with five-leaves, verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring, one-footed elongated cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical floral decoration, ratchet wheel and clik set-up covered with a gilded plate pierced and decorated similarly to the cock.Monogram on the movement, enameller's signature on the case back.Diam. 47 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 76-77.

Beautiful LadiesBovet, Fleurier, Nos. 484/11 and 484/12, circa 1860.Fine and rare pair of small gilded silver, enamel, pearl-set, centre seconds lady's watches in original Morocco fitted box, made for the Chinese market.

C. Four-body, 'Empire', back cover decorated with a finely painted portrait of a lady in a feathered hat and blue dress, with earrings and necklace made of gold paillons. The portrait is surrounded by scarlet translucent enamel over engine-turning, bezels, pendant and bow set with half pearls, spring-loaded, gilded cuvette centred with Bovet signature in Chinese characters. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring and fifteen minute Arabic numerals. Blued-steel 'spade' hands. M. 32.1 mo, c, 16 jewels, free-standing barrel, straight line lever escapement, plain three-arm steel balance with horn-shaped counter-weights, blued-steel flat balance spring, index regulator.Signed on the movements, and in Chinese characters on the cuvettes.Diam. 39 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 342-343.

A ConundrumHermanos, Shanghai, No. 687, made in Fleurier, Swiss, circa 1860.Fine large silver gilt and enamel, pearl-set centre seconds watch with special escapement, made for the Chinese market.

C. Three-body, 'Empire', the back enamelled with a lady being tempted on the one hand by a wealthy old man holding a jewellery chest and on the other by a handsome young troubadour, against a cream coloured ground, pearl-set bezels, pendant, and bow, reeded band, glazed cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute and fifth of a second divisions, with Arabic fifteen minutes and seconds numerals. Gold 'spade' hands. M. 48.6 mm o, 'Chinese' calibre entirely gided and engraved, 7 jewels, standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, plain five-arm polished steel balance, blued-steel flat balance spring.Signed on the movement, inside the back cover signed in Chinese characters, with London prestige marks.Diam. 58 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 342-343.

Crescent of PearlsW. J. Upjohn, St. Johns Square, London, No. 7009, circa 1820.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel pearl-set watch with chain, seal and key.

C. Two-body, the back decorated with translucent imperial blue enamel over engine-turning with a pearl-set star surrounded by an offset closed crescent of pearls, the band, pendant, and bow chased with floral decoration.D. Gold, applied polished gold Roman chapters on matte ground, outer minute dot divisions, the edge decorated with an applied varicoloured laurel leaf wreath, engine-turned centre. Blued-steel 'spade' hands. M. 42.5 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, lateral lever escapement with the lift on the pallets, converted probably from cylinder escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring, one-footed cock pierced and engraved withflowers, mask and foliage, diamond endstone.Diam. 50 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 208-209.

George Washington.Jacob Fogle, Milledgeville, Georgia, No. 15474, casemaker's mark H.W.O., circa 1830.Very fine and rare 18 ct. gold pair-cased watch with stop feature, with a portrait of George Washington, accompanied by a large swivel key with Washington's bust.

C. Outer : two-body, 'bassine', the back engraved in taille douce with a bust of George Washington (1732-1799) on an engine-turned ground, the bezels and pendant chased with foliage and flowers. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished, gilded dust cap.Key. Oval rock crystal with intaglio bust of Washington and stars, mounted in a gold round-wire frame decorated with an applied vari-coloured gold flower wreath, hinged into a frame designed as two cornucopia joined at the top, to which a ring is attached, having a barrel and a suspension chain at the other end. All decorated in a manner matching the frame. D. Vari-coloured gold, applied polished gold Roman chapters on engine-turned chapter ring, outer minute dot divisions, the border with applid foliage, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued-steel fleur de lis hands. M. 40.8 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with column pillars, fusee and chain with Harrison's maintaining power, 16 jewels, lateral lever escapement with the lift on the pallets, plain three-arm gold balance, flat balance spring, narrow one-footed cock engraved with a flower basket, diamond endstone, lever at 5 o'clock for stopping the watch.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 51. Published in the Sandberg book, page 208-209.

The MosqueGeorge Prior, London, No. 1427, casemaker's mark AM incuse, probably Angela Marson, hallmarked 1793.Fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, triple-cased diamond-set watch, made for the Islamic market.

C. Outer: two-body with scalloped edges, glazed back, bezels in light green champlevé enamel with flower and leaf decoration, bezel edges enamelled. Middle: two-body, scalloped edge, back with finely painted sunset behind mountains, a riverside Mosque in the foreground, translucent red border, bezels with opaque azure champlevé enamel with decoration matching the outer cases. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished. D. White enamel with Turkish numerals, outer minute divisions, Turkish five minutearks. Gold 'beetle and poker' hands.M. 23.2 mm o, gilt brass full plate, tulip pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, steel, three-arm balance, flat balance spring, one-footed cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate with Turkish numerals.Signed on dial and movement, inner case stamped with English hallmarks.Diam. 39 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 276-277.

Sea Battle.George Prior, London, No 2065, enamel painting in the manner of J-L. Richter, circa 1815.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel pair-cased quarter repeating two-train clock watch, made for the Islamic market.

C. Outer: two-body, scalloped edge, the back finely painted on enamel with a nautical battle scene, in translucent enamel over sunburst engine-turning, within a scalloped champlevé enamel frame, bezels with flower decoration in red, white and blue champlevé enamel, bezel edges enamelled, diamond-set pushpiece. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished back with small rosette in the centre, the band pierced and engraved with fern leaves, gilded dust cap. D. White enamel, Turkish numerals, outer minutering, Turkish five-minute marks. Gold 'fleur de lis' hands. M. 38.5 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with turned column pillars, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, blued-steel balance spring, English type one-footed cock pierced and engraved with a flower head, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate with Turkish numerals, striking train with fixed barrel, striking and repeating with two hammers on a bell, trip repeater activated by a pushpiece in the pendant.Signed on dial and movement.Diam. 58 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 276-277.

James Cox, London, 1767, casemaker's mark P.M. incuse, for Peter Mounier.Very important and rare 20 ct. gold pair-cased moss agate ruby-set watch with fifth-second diablotine, regulator-type dial, date and stop feature, with a contemporary Chinese fob, made for the Chinese market.

C. Outer: two-body, 'bassine', pierced and engraved frame with moss agate panel in the centre, and six smaller oval panels at the side, all seven panels with ruby-set borders, bezel with six similar rectangular agate panels alternating with flower heads set with matching rubies. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished. Swivel pendant, bow set with matching rubies, fob woven from silver gilt wire with two tassels and a key, gilded dust ring to protect the movement. D. White enamel, four subsidiary dals: at 2 o'clock Roman numeral hour indication, at 4 o'clock fifth-second jump diablotine dial, at 8 o'clock Arabic seconds dial, at 10 o'clock day of the month indication, outer Arabic minute numerals with five minute markers. Blued-steel 'arrow' and 'poker' hands.M. 36.6 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with square baluster pillars, fusee and chain, cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain steel three-arm balance, overbanking pin on the body of the staff, one-footed gilded cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, diamond endstone, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate with Roman chapters, at 2 o'clock the stop watch lever.Signed on the dial.Diam. 53 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 230-231.

The Spinning Star.James Cox, London, No. 1391, casemaker's mark P.M. incuse, for Peter Mounier, circa 1775.Very important and rare 20 ct. gold, pair-cased diamond, pearl, ruby and agate-set double-train watch with spinning stars, made for the Chinese market.

C. Outer: two-body, 'bassine', pierced frame, the centre set with a six-lobed agate panel framed with rubies and pearls, six smaller oval agate panels on the sides, all within ruby and pearl frames and separated by pierced diamond-set flowers, front bezel with six rectangular agate panels separated by pierced diamond-set flower blossoms with two rubies on either side, the bezel set with rubies; diamond-set pushpiece. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', gilded dust ring to protect the movement. D. Smallhite enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions and five minute Arabic numerals, surrounded by a rotating ruby-set mask with eight smallspinning satellite stars set with transparent diamond pastes stones. Blued-steel 'arrow' and 'poker' hands.M. 36.5 mm o, gilt brass full plate with circular pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, one-footed cock pierced and engraved in asymmetrical scrolls, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate. The animation driven by a fixed barrel and five-wheel train finished by a governing pinion in eccentric adjustable bushing to regulate the speed of the spin, at 11 o'clock a lever for activating the animation.Signed on the movement, inner case stamped 'PM'.Diam. 53 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 230-231.

Unsigned, Fleurier, Swiss, circa 1850.Unusual large silver gilt and enamel, half pearl-set watch with special calibre, special escapement and dead seconds, made for the Chinese market.

C. Two-body, 'Empire', spring-loaded back with finely painted flowers against an azure background, bezels, pendant and bow set with half pearls, glazed spring-loaded cuvette mounted on the movement ring, reeded band. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring. Blued-steel 'spade' hands. M. 54 mm o, mirror-polished steel backplate with gilded bridges of typical 'Chinese' calibre, à filets engraving by Ed. Vuillemin, 10 jewels, free-standing barrel, steel four-wheel train, 'Chinese' duplexescapement with double-toothed locking teeth allowing for dead seconds jumping, three-arm steel balance with three horn-shaped counterweights, flat blued-steel balance spring.Diam. 62 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 340-341.