Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 10, 1994

LOT 360

Not signed, Genève, circa 1790. Fine and rare 18 ct. gold and enamel,diamond set pendant watch with special escapement, set in a fine frame with a miniature portrait.

CHF 11,000 - 13,000

C. The watch with rose-diamond set bezel is set on the blue enamelled reverse of the frame chased with foliage decoration, the glazed front face with a very fine miniature portrait of a gentleman, painted on ivory, the frame with blue champlevé enamelled border. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Very small hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fixed barrel, virgule escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with polished steel end-piece. In very good condition. Dim. 51 x 42 mm.


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Notes

With a diameter of 13 mm., this movementis certainly one of the the smallest ever made at the period. The following magnificent watches form part of a collection put together on the early years of this century. It is clear that this collector was botte knowledgeable and highly selective in his choice as the examples, now included in the sale, represent the zenith of the Swiss production of such enamelled musical and automaton objects incorporating a watch. It is interesting to note that contemporaneous with the formation of this collection, such famous "amateurs" as Sir David Salomons, Gustave Loup and Gustave Sandoz were also putting together their unique collections, the great majority of which are now in museum.