Important Watches, Wristwatches and c...
Geneva, Apr 20, 1996
LOT 270
Mysterieuse, Swiss, Brevete S.G.D.G., circa 1890. Rare and fine, early, keyless mystery watch.
CHF 3,200 - 3,600
Sold: CHF 4,025
C. Three body, "bassine et filets", polished, glazed on both faces. D. Eccentric glass with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Polished steel "spade" hands. Silver engine-turned dial plates with foliage decoration. M. Gilt brass, croissant shaped, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three arm balance, flat balance spring. Signed on the dial plate. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm.
Notes
Built on the principle invented by Robert-Houdin
for clocks, this watch seems to work without any
mechanical movement. In fact, driven by the
croissant shaped movement concealed above the
dial on the border, the hands are revolving with
the glass plate set beneath the dial.
Patented by Armand Schwob & Frere a Paris on
the 24 January 1889, such watches were very
popular toward the end of the 19th Century, quite
a few were produced, but most are now in poor
condition, for the glass dials are often broken.