L\'ART DE L\'HORLOGERIE EN FRANCE DE ...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 14, 1993

LOT 17

Gamot A Paris, circa 1660. Fine and rare silver pre-balance spring watch with alarm.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 25,300

C. Double body bassine with loose ring pendant, the bezel engraved with flowers, the band pierced and engraved with foliage inhabited with birds and Cherubs, the back with a profusion of summer flowers and two duellists in cavalier costumes. D. Silver dial-plate engraved with a floral decoration matching that of the bezel. Gilt brass chapter-ring with Roman numerals, inner revolving alarm setting disk engraved with foliage inhabited by running dogs and a rabbit. Brass tulip pattern hour pointer with alarm setting hand. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate secured by a latch with urn pillars, fusee with gut-line, verge escapement with plain steel two-arm balance without spring, gilt brass florally pierced and engraved irregular cock. Ratchet wheel and click for set-up. Alarm train with gilt brass florally pierced and engraved fixed barrel. Striking on a bell. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Diam. 47 mm.


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Notes

Gregoire Gamot of Paris, recorded as working in 1628, and in the Rue de la Barillerie in 1652. He died in 1673. The engraving style of the case is both fine in its execution and elaborate in design, and the artist appears to have employed elements taken from several different designers. The choice of subject for the back is unusual to say the leasttwo duellists apparently in the process of killing one another- and would presumably have been to the order of the buyer. The subject is taken from a contemporary book on the art of sword fighting.