The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 695

?Cabriolet, Improved Detached Lever? Lewis Samuel, 4, Lord Street, Liverpool, No. 28426. Made circa 1830. Fine and unusual, 18K pink gold cabriolet hunting cased pocket watch.

CHF 3,500 - 4,500

EUR 2,200 - 3,000 / USD 2,700 - 3,500

C. Outer: Three-body, ?bassine?, reversible enabling one to use the watch as an open face or as a hunter, engraved with foliage, the back engraved with a scene of a huntsman in a landscape with two gundogs, the interior engine turned. Inner: Four-body, engraved with flowers and foliage. Hinged gold cuvette with engine-turned border. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Gold "fleurde- lys" hands. M. 40 mm., frosted gilt, three-quarter plate, 13 jewels, partly in screwed chatons, fusee with chain, ?Improved Detached? lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, flat blued steel balance spring, diamond endstone, index regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered and with faux English hallmarks. Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-15

Good

Slightly rusted
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-15-01

Good

Slightly rusted

HANDS Original

Notes

?Improved Detached Lever? refers to the detached form of lever escapement patented by Edward Massey in 1815 and developed to the form seen in this watch by the 1820s. The present watch is unusual in that the case is Swiss made and almost contemporary to the watch. It is probable that the original owner led an outdoor life and had the present ?cabriolet? case made for practical purposes to protect the watch. The ?cabriolet? form of reversible case is almost unknown in English watchmaking.