Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Nov 12, 2006

LOT 184

"Gold Pair-Cased" Jaquet Droz, London, No. 11785. Made in Switzerland for the English market, circa 1785, probably retailed by Maillardet. Very fine and rare, heavy, 18K gold pair-cased pocket watch.

CHF 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,500 - 9,000 / USD 8,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 11,800

C. Outer: two-body, "bassine" polished. Inner: two-body, "bassine" polished. Gilt-metal dust cover. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute indexes, Arabic five minute numerals. Gold "Louis XV" hands. M. 34.5 mm., frosted gilt, full plate, conical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, finely pierced and engraved foliate balance cock, diamond endstone, silver regulation disc. Dial and dust cap signed. Diam. 49 mm. Property of an Gentleman


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

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz (1752-1791). Was the second child of Pierre Jaquet-Droz and his wife Marianne. His father sent him to Nancy when he was young to study music, science, mathematics, physics and drawing. Upon his return from Nancy in 1769, Henry-Louis took his place in his father's workshop, side by side with Jean-Frédéric Leschot (1746-1824), a neighbor child who had come to live and work with Pierre around 1756. This was the beginning of a close and fruitful partnership between the three men. When Pierre Jaquet-Droz grew old, the firm was taken over by his son Henry-Louis and Jean-Frédéric Leschot, and the firm was called Jaquet-Droz & Leschot. Henri Maillardet Was the director of the London branch of the Jaquet-Droz firm that was opened in 1783, although Henri-Louis traveled often to London to look after business. The Jaquet Droz company moved to Geneva, center of the "Fabrique", in 1784.