Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 89

William Anthony, London, No. 1705, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1795. Magnificent and extremely rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, eight day going, pearl, diamond and rubyset oval watch with extending hands and " diablotine".

CHF 280,000 - 300,000

C. Double body, with split-pearl set bezel and pendant, the back of blue translucent enamel over engine-turning, with split pearl-set border, the very fine applied diamond and pearl set decoration centred with a large navette shaped ruby. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds and 1 /4 seconds " foudroyante". Gold articulated extending bands following the pour and minute oval rings. M. Fine shaped gilt brass, fully chased with scrolling foliage decoration, five wheel train, eight day going, Chinese calibre drawn from that of Lepine with free standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain flat three- arm polished steel balance with flat balance spring and diamond end-stone. Signed on the dial and cuvette. In very good condition. Dim. 95 x 57 mm.


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Notes

Note: This is a fine example from the small group of oval 8 day watches, all signed by William Anthony, which were made for the Chinese Court in Peking. In common with the majority of the finest decorative watches destined to the Chinese Market, these were originally made in pairs, but as most were "acquired" by Europeans during the Boxer rebellion, they have been split up over the intervening years. The hands of this watch are articulated to follow an oval cam at the centre of the dial and thus in roteing, they lengthen and shorten according to the axis of the dial on the principle of the pantagraph. Only five watches of this type, with extending hands are known to exist. This watch, previously in the Belin Collection is the last one available on the market. Part of the Belin Collection, this watch was sold by Sothebÿ s in London on September 1979, lot 100. It was in the record book as the most expensive watch of the year.