Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 16, 2014

LOT 267

HENRY CAPT - MINIATURE SEAL RING WATCH Henry Capt, Genève, No. 26431. Made circa 1860. Very fine and extremely rare, heavy 18K gold ring set with a miniature watch, the crystal intaglio engraved as a seal. Accompanied by a Hess & Metford, Genève, box.

CHF 3,000 - 5,000

HKD 25,000 - 41,000 / USD 3,200 - 5,400

Sold: CHF 6,250

Three-body, matte shank and polished bezel, concealed sliding panel opening for winding and hand-setting, bezel with two screws, inner snap-on back, crystal intaglio engraved with a crest beneath a crown for use as a seal. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track. Blued steel Breguet hands. 13 mm., matte gilt, bar caliber, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm balance, flat balance spring, index regulator.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial and inner case signed. DIAM. 17.5 mm. Inner ring DIAM. 19 mm. HENRY CAPT An important and highly esteemed firm, originally established by Henry Daniel Capt (1773-1843). In 1844 the firm was taken over by Henry's son Henri Capt at Fusterie 85. In 1851 it moved to 174 rue du Rhône. In the late 1870's the firm was bought by Gallopin. In 1878-9, the Henri Capt firm won the first prize at the Geneva Observatory. In 1882 they received another first prize for a watch with a palladium balance-spring, the first prize recorded as having been awarded for a watch with such a sping. He was the first Swiss maker to compete in the Kew Observatory Contests.