Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 573

Charles Oudin, Horloger de la Marine, 52 Palais Royal, Paris, No. 21663, made by Louis Audemars, circa 1875. Fine 18 ct. gold hunting cased, moon phase astronomical keyless minute repeating watch with triple calendar, and 1/5 seconds "diablotin".

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 18,400

C. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", engineturned, the cover and back with applied gold cartouches engrave with both the coat-of-arms of the "Ponce de Léon" and that of the "De la Cerda" families. Hinged gold cuvette with subsidiary inscription: "Médaille aux expositions depuis 1806 à 1864". D. White enamel with Roman mnerals, outer Arabic minute ring, sunk subsidiary dials for days of the week, dates and seconds with inner indications for the month and concentric "foudroyante", moon phase aperture with lunar calendar on the border. Gold "spade" hands. Gold "spade" hands. M.19"', gilt brass with gold wheel train, 33 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Repeating on gongs with slide in the band. Signed the dial and cuvette. Trade-mark of Louis Audemars punched inside back and cover. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm.


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Notes

The quartered coat-of-arms, with an ermine lined peer's mantle, is that of the De La Cerda family, Dukes of Medina Celi. The coat-of-arms with the vertically striped rampant lion, on the left, is that of the Ponce De Léon family. The only marriage alliance between these two families was that of Louis Joaquim Fernandez de Cortoba Figueroa de la Cerda (1780-1840), 14th Duke of Medina Celi, Order of the Grand Cross of Charles III, with Maria de la Conception Ponce de Léon (1783-1856), second daughter of Antonio Maria Ponce de Léon, 4th Duke of Montemar celebrated on 25 May 1802. Their son, and the probable owner of this watch, since there seem to be no further descendants, was Louis Tomas Fernandez de Cortoba Figueroa de la Cerda (1813-1873),15th Duke of Medina Celi, High Seneschal of Aragon, Order of the Grand Cross of Charles III in 1846, Golden Fleece in 1864. He died in Paris on January 6th, 1873. When two Spanish families were united it was the custom to create a new coat-of-arms. However, in the present case, the coats-of-arms of the two families are placed on the front and the back of the watch.