The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 159

The Spinning Star.James Cox, London, No. 1391, casemaker's mark P.M. incuse, for Peter Mounier, circa 1775.Very important and rare 20 ct. gold, pair-cased diamond, pearl, ruby and agate-set double-train watch with spinning stars, made for the Chinese market.

C. Outer: two-body, 'bassine', pierced frame, the centre set with a six-lobed agate panel framed with rubies and pearls, six smaller oval agate panels on the sides, all within ruby and pearl frames and separated by pierced diamond-set flowers, front bezel with six rectangular agate panels separated by pierced diamond-set flower blossoms with two rubies on either side, the bezel set with rubies; diamond-set pushpiece. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', gilded dust ring to protect the movement. D. Smallhite enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions and five minute Arabic numerals, surrounded by a rotating ruby-set mask with eight smallspinning satellite stars set with transparent diamond pastes stones. Blued-steel 'arrow' and 'poker' hands.M. 36.5 mm o, gilt brass full plate with circular pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, one-footed cock pierced and engraved in asymmetrical scrolls, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate. The animation driven by a fixed barrel and five-wheel train finished by a governing pinion in eccentric adjustable bushing to regulate the speed of the spin, at 11 o'clock a lever for activating the animation.Signed on the movement, inner case stamped 'PM'.Diam. 53 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 230-231.