Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 18, 1997

LOT 576

Pierre Lagisse, Geneva, circa 1670 Fine and rare rock-crystal, gilt-metal and silver-gilt pre-balance spring watch.

CHF 30,000 - 35,000

Sold: CHF 41,400

C. Double-body duo-decagonal lobed form, the giltmetal frame chases with foliage with lobed and rayonned rock-crystal back and cover. Turned loosering pendant. D. Silver-gilt with Roman hour chapters and 1/4 hour divisions. Single blued-steel hand. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned baluster pillars, fusee with gut, short train, verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring. Pierced floral oval cock, pierced and engraved silver frame around the signature, worm-and-wheel set-up. Diam. 33 mm


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 22-51

Later original

Partially reprinted

Notes

Pierre Iragisse, working in Geneva and Isphahan, probably apprenticed in1638 to Martin DuBoule and died in 1679. He began his career in Geneva and subsequently moved to Persia where he became watchmaker to the Shah, although it is certain that the majority of his production continued to be made in Switzerland. By 1670, rock-crystal was no longer a fashionable material for cases in Europe, but continued to be desirable in the middle-east, which explains the apparently anachronistic style of this watch. Other examples of Lagisse ' s work are known in similar taste.