Important Collectors’ Wristwatches,an...

Hong Kong, Hotel Victoria Hong Kong, Jun 10, 1993

LOT 383

Lepaute & Fils, Horlogers du Roi, circa 1835. Very fine and rare, 18 ct. gold and inlaid work of " pietra dura", quarter repeating watch.

HKD 150,000 - 165,000

CHF 28,000 - 30,000

Sold: HKD 322,000

C. Three body, "forme collier", the back with a fine marquetry of blood-stone, lapis lazuli, malachite and white jade, set in a rosette pattern, the band set with the same alternated stones. Gold cuvette. D. Made of a mosaic matching that of the back, with Roman numerals on white jade cartouches and outer red jasper minute ring. Gold chased and pierced hands. M. 18"', gilt brass with going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain gilt brass three arm balance, "parachute" suspension, flat balance spring, bimetallic compensation curb on the index. Repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant. Signed on the cuvette. In very good condition. Diam. 47 mm.


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Notes

The Breguet watch No. 4821, sold to the Prince Demidoff on October 3rd 1842, for 2500 francs, was set with a case and dial made by Morel, wich can be compared with that of this watch. It was sold by Antiqorum in Hong Kong on May 28th 1984, lot No. 89. As distinct from Italian "pietra-dura" inlaid work, in which the stones are assembled together in a frame, here each individual piece of hard stone has a gold frame similar to cloisonne work. These case and dial are not only remarkable for their workmanship, but it has been exceptionally difficult to make them so thin, specially for the dial. So far, only one other maker - Breguet -, is known to have made watches with cases in this way.