Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 477

Virgule Escapement Swiss, in the style of Jaquet Droz, retailed by Joseph Dodds, London. Made circa 1800. Very fine and unusual, 18K gold pocket watch with center-seconds and virgule escapement.

CHF 9,000 - 11,000

USD 8,500 - 10,000 / EUR 5,700 - 7,000

C. Two-body, polished, inclined bezels, release catch in the pendant, stop lever in the movement ring beneath the back cover. Hinged and sprung gilt metal cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute and seconds divisions, Arabic fifteen-second numerals. Gold arrow hour and minute hands, blued steel center-seconds hand. M. 50 mm., gilt brass, Jacquet Droz calibre, standing barrel, virgule escapement, brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, index regulator, large diamond endstone. Cuvette signed by the retailer. Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-9*

Good

Scratched

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This movement caliber was used by the firm of Jaquet Droz, usually for watches made for the Chinese market at the end of the 18th century. It is possible that this watch originated from the Jaquet Droz workshops. The virgule escapement was never widely used because of its extreme delicacy and the difficulty of its construction and repair. Therefore, watches with this escapement were made in small numbers and very few survive today.