The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 153

A ConundrumHermanos, Shanghai, No. 687, made in Fleurier, Swiss, circa 1860.Fine large silver gilt and enamel, pearl-set centre seconds watch with special escapement, made for the Chinese market.

C. Three-body, 'Empire', the back enamelled with a lady being tempted on the one hand by a wealthy old man holding a jewellery chest and on the other by a handsome young troubadour, against a cream coloured ground, pearl-set bezels, pendant, and bow, reeded band, glazed cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute and fifth of a second divisions, with Arabic fifteen minutes and seconds numerals. Gold 'spade' hands. M. 48.6 mm o, 'Chinese' calibre entirely gided and engraved, 7 jewels, standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, plain five-arm polished steel balance, blued-steel flat balance spring.Signed on the movement, inside the back cover signed in Chinese characters, with London prestige marks.Diam. 58 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 342-343.