Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 15, 1994

LOT 411

Conradt Kreizer, (IV?) Augsburg or Strasburg, circa 1635. Fine and rare gilt-metal and rock crystal pendant watch.

CHF 45,000 - 50,000

C. Three-body frame, the centre section inset with eight faceted rock crystal panels, the hinged back and front covers with similar inset panels. Flat-section loose-ring pendant double-pivoted on a bar. D. Octagonal gilt brass dial plate with locating lugs, engraved with flowers and foliage, applied silver chapter-ring with black enamelled Roman numerals, the centre engraved with a rosette. Single ballusterturned blued-steel hand. M. Octagonal gilt-brass full plates with turned urn pillars, six turn fusee with gut line, three-wheel train, verge escapement with plain two-arm steel balance without spring. Irregular florally pierced and engraved balance cock secured by a screw, the ratchet-wheel set-up cock with similar decoration. Secured in the case by a double spring clip. Signed on the back plate. In very good condition. Dims. 52 x 33 mm.


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Notes

The Kreizer family became a veritable dynasty of watchmakers, with at least four apparently bearing the same christian name. Some uncertainties exist as to whether Conrad III and IV were not in fact the same person, but certainly one of the Kreizer's occupied the position of clockmaker to the Knights of the Grand Cross of Malta and indeed several watches signed by Kreizer use their characteristic cross as the form for the pendant. The watch now offered for sale has a pendant of similar construction, perhaps the form used for watches destined for 'secular' clients, but in all other aspects it is typical of his work. Accurately dating certain watches by Kreizer can be difficult, as he appears to have continued to produce pieces of 16th. century design long after they were superceded, perhaps due to the requirements of his important clients, which would certainly have brought him wide recognition. Certain interesting features of the movement tend to support a date from the second quarter of the 17th. century for the stackfreed has been abandoned in favour of a fusee.