Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 22, 1995

LOT 431

Harrache, London, No. 3734, circa 1774. Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, diamond set, dumb quarter repeating watch with matching key, later gold brooch pin and fitted box inscribed inside the cover: M.H.S Her Great Great Grandmother's watch.

CHF 11,000 - 13,000

USD 9,000 - 11,000

C. Double body Louis XV, the back with a very fine enamel painted panel in a rose-diamond set ( rame, depicting a maiden visited by Cupid, outer two coloured gold chased decoration. Inside the case, the marks of Alaterre, "Fermier Général" from 1768 to 1774 and the engraved inscription: The watch of Henrietta Cumpbell of Blythswood, b o r a . . . , married 1776 Archibald Swinton of Kimmerghame, died 1827. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Fine Louis XV rose-diamond set hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with polished steel endpiece. Repeating on the case by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial and the back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 40 mm.


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Notes

Harrache, Thomas, French maker, worked in Pall Mall, London from 1751 up to about 1774, the case of this watch, hallmarked in Paris was undoubtedly made in France and is a very good 432 example of a type very popular on the continent along the last quarter of the XVIIIth century. The enamel painting is extremely fine and of mach better quality than most of the later of this type, produced in Switzerland from 1780. According to the enamel scene, this watch was certainly a wedding present. The brooch pin was certainly made at the same time as the fitted case, just before to be presented to the Great Great Grand daughter.