Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 417

Lepine, Horloger du Roy à Paris, No. 4268, circa 1790. Very fine white marble and ormolu hour and half hour striking dock.

C. Movement in turned banded cylindrical case with engine-turned bezel, supported on a stretcher with scalloped-edge drape decorated with a chased caduceus flanked by symmetrical scrolled tendrils on a matt ground. The stretcher is further decorated by draped swags of vine leaves with grape bunches, and is carried on the shoulders of two putti each seated on the back of a seated goat. on top of the movement a nude, reclining bacchæ tilts her head backwards to swallow the last drops of wine from her upraised goblet. the whole mounted on a white marble base with inverted stylised tulip border and engine-turned side panels. D. White enamel, typical of Lepine with mixed Roman and Arabic numerals, outer Arabic minute ring and inner red date chapters. Pierced and engraved gilt bras hands. M. Brass circular with going barrels on both the going and the striking trains, anchor escapement, pendulum with silk suspension. Striking on a bell with count wheel on the back plate. Signed on the dial and on the back plate. In very good condition. Dim. 56 x 43 x 15 cm.