Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 15, 1994
LOT 356
Des Arts & Cie., Genève, No. 52283, circa 1810. Fine and unusual 18 ct. gold and enamel pendant watch with matching clip.
CHF 4,500 - 5,500
C. Double body, entirely overlaid with pierced, raised and enamelled multicoloured summerflowers. Matching clip with short châtelaine. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals. Gold Breguet hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement with plain brass threearm balance, flat balance spring and regulator, gilt brass continental cock with polished steel end-piece. In very good condition. Diam. 30 mm.
Notes
Usually employed on XVllth century watches, the technique of enamel decoration used
on this watch case is extremely rare, specially for a watch made circa 1800. Variously
described as émail en plein or émail en ronde-bosse d'or, it involves embossing and
piercing the outer layer of the case with flowers which are then decorated with
translucent and solid enamels in a wide range of colours, an inner gold skin prevents dust
from entering the movement.
A watch by Jacques Cartier, circa 1670, with a similar decoration, was sold by
Antiquorum in Hong Kong on 18th June 1994, lot 323 of the catalogue.