Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 10, 2013

LOT 169

CABRIER - GOLD HALF QUARTER REPEATER (Charles) Cabrier, London, No. 610. Made circa 1730. Fine and rare, gold, enamel and gem-set, half-quarter- repeating pocket watch with à toc feature and gilt-metal and shagreen outer protecting case.

CHF 2,500 - 4,500

HKD 21,000 - 37,000 / USD 2,600 - 4,800

Sold: CHF 6,000

Two-body, the back repoussé and pierced with foliage and masks, four scenes around the band depicting Cupid in varoius attitudes, the center set with a square translucent blue enamel panel, bezel pierced, engraved and repoussé with foliage intersected with four blue translucent enamel panels, thumb-piece and pendant set with faceted red stones. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals. Rose cut diamond-set hands. 33 mm. frosted gilt full-plate with baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, steel balance with flat balance spring, single-footed clock with streamers, half-quarter repeating of Quare type, repeating on bell in the back of the case activated by depressing the pendant. Movement signed.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-28

Good

Replacements
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-77-03

Fair

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Restored soft enamel

HANDS Period

Notes

DIAM. 46 mm. Excluding outer case. The CABRIERS were a watchmaking family. CHARLES CABRIER, the father, was admitted into the Clockmakers' Company in February 1697/98 as a Freeman by redemption. In 1717 he took his son, Charles Cabrier junior, as apprentice, freeing him in 1726. Baillie lists Cabrier in Lombard Street. In 1730 a Cabrier is mentioned at the Dial, Tokenhouse Yard, in the parish of St. Margaret Lothbury. Charles Cabrier, Junior became an eminent maker and in 1757 he was elected Master of the Clockmakers' Company. His watches are in many museums, including the British Museum, the Guildhall Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Both Cabriers had strong ties with continental watchmakers, among others with Cabriere in Amsterdam. The son of Charles Cabrier, Junior, also named Charles, became an eminent watchmaker in his own right, which sometimes leads to difficulties in attribution. During the period the present watch was made, the two Cabriers, father and son, were working together.