Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 12, 1996

LOT 418

Nikolaus Alexius Johann a Mayence, German, circa 1800. Fine and extremely rare, walnut veneered eight day going, quarter striking and repeating, weight driven wall clock with early perpetual calendar.

CHF 20,000 - 25,000

C. Rectangular flanked by two half columns surmounted by gilt bronze pine cones, applied four gilt brass sun figures around the dial aperture, glazed pendulum aperture on the lower part. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring and subsidiary dials for the dates, months and days of the week. M. Brass rectangular with turned pillars, weight driven going and striking trains, anchor escapement, pendulum with knife edge suspension. Striking and repeating on two bells with striking work on the back plate. Perpetual calendar enabling the hand to jump automatically from the last day of the month to the first of the next, whether it is a month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days. Signed on the dial. In very good condition, accompanied by a copy of the leaflet by Jiirjen Abeler: Die Gebriider Johann, Augustinerpatres and Uhrmacher. Dim. 76 x 47 x 21 cm.


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Notes

The perpetual calendar work of this watch is very similar to that designed for clocks, described by Moinet in his Nouveau Traite General d ' Horlogerie, vol. 2, pl. XLIV, fig. 8 and 9. Nikolaus A. Johann, was born on 11th November 1753 in Steinach. He underwent his schooling in Miinnerstadt before studying theology at University. His interests laid particularly in Mathematics and Physics, which he was able to further during his studies at the University of Freiburg, but he was also highly interested in music and became composer. In 1781, having already joined the Order of the Augustinians where he was named friar Alexius, he moved to Mainz (Mayence) where he settled. In 1802 he left the Augustinian Order although he remained in Mainz. Already as an Augustinian friar he was keen on horology and had a special interest in astronomical clocks. Since his work as monk took all his daytime, he dedicated his nights to pursuing his interest in astronomical clocks. However he only produced such clocks himself once he had left the Augustinian Order and, interestingly, always signed them with his Augustinian name, Alexius. He also made a horary which is considered his masterpiece. He died in Mainz on 28th July 1826 and most of his timepieces are kept in the Mainz Museum or in private collections.