The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 188

Alexander destroying the Persian Cavalry.Fromanteel, No 941, circa 1695, the painting on enamel by Vauquer P(inxit), circa 1660.Very fine and rare, 20 ct. gold and enamel watch.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

USD 12,000 - 18,000

Sold: CHF 23,000

C. Two-body, painted on both sides with battle scenes, the enamel plaque is by Robert Vauquer (1625-1670) who worked in Blois. The battle scene on the back is biblical, while that on the inside, painted en grisaille and signed, is of Alexander destroying the Persian Cavalry. Hans Boeckh has established that the scenes derive from two prints after engravings by Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630). The body of the gold case has two bands of foliate engraving and a swivel pendant. D. Gold, champlevé, Romahour chapter ring with half-hour lozenges, outer minute ring with five-minute Arabic numerals. Blued-steel 'tulip' and 'poker' hands. M. 39 mm o, gilt brass full plate, elaborate tulip pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring, one-footed cock pierced and engraved in symmetrical scrolling foliage, flower blossom in the centre, worm and wheel set-up, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate.Signed on the movement and the dial, the number engraved on the band in a special cartouche by the pendant. Enamel signed on the inside back.Diam. 46 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 108-109.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 3 - 6 - 01

Notes

It was a common practice in the eighteenth century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collectionsSee lots 264 for a discussion of the replacement of movements in important 17th century cases.