Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 15, 1994

LOT 405

Goullons à Paris, circa 1665. Very fine silver, hour striking coach watch with alarm.

CHF 45,000 - 50,000

C. Double body, bassine, with loose-ring pendant, the back finely pierced and chased with summer flowers and Cupids. D. White enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals, the silver central alarm setting disc engraved with summer flowers. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel fourarm balance with short early balance spring and gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with birds and foliage. Striking train with fixed gilt brass barrel pierced and engraved with foliage, the silver count wheel, on the back plate, engraved with summer flowers. Alarm train with gilt brass fixed barrel pierced and engraved as well. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Diam. 115 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Notes

This watch was upgraded soon after the invention of the balance spring by Christian Huygens, in 1675. Therefore, the balance and the gilt brass cock had to be changed when the balance spring was fitted, toward the end of the XVIlth century. Goullons à Paris made in 1663 for the study of Cardinal Mazarin, a large clockwatch with outer case for 200 Livres and a magnificent enamelled watch, also signed by Goullons, in the Victoria and Albert museum in London, is painted inside the cover and the back with the portraits of Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu.