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

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 14, 1993

LOT 38

Gaudron à Paris, circa 1690. Fine silver Louis XIV "oignon" with alarm.

CHF 12,000 - 15,000

Sold: CHF 13,800

C. Three body, oignon, polished, the hinged back opening to reveal the fixed cuvette for access to the winding arbors, the border delicately pierced and engraved with foliage inhabited by cherubs. Split-ring front bezel for the glass. D. White enamel chapter-ring with Roman numerals (very slightly damaged on the border), quarter and half hour divisions, the inner gilt brass revolving alarm setting disc with engraved Arabic numerals. Blued-steel single alarm setting hand with tulip hour pointer. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with urn pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel four-arm balance with curved arms and counter balance to bypass the winding square, flat balance spring and gilt brass Louis XIV cock pierced and engraved with scrolled foliage. Delicate blued-steel spring and click for the ratchet wheel set-up. Alarm train with gilt brass fixed barrel, pierced and engraved with scrolls, striking on a bell. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Diam. 57 mm.


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Notes

Apart from the date, it is evident that Antoine Ier was the maker of this watch from a study of his other activities. Watches bearing his signature are rare, whereas clocks, many of which are outstanding, are more frequently found. He worked with Boulle and Cressent, to name but two, and developed a successful business as the articles of association cited above would confirm. It therefore appears that following his establishment of the business with his children, he gave up the production of watches, and indeed, no watches that can be dated to after 1700 seem to have survived.