The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 292

The DilemmaIlbery, London, No. 6338, circa 1820.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel watch with a special escapement and centre seconds, made for the Chinese market.

C. Outer: two-body, the spring-loaded back painted with a scene, probably after a contemporary English engraving, of a young girl standing by two seated boys holding a pair of small doves. She is indeed faced with a dilemma, for the boys are in a love with her and demand that she choose one of the doves, and therefore, one of them. Surrounding the oval, painted on enamel medallion, a green translucent enamel ring over engine-turning, then black, red, and finally blue guilloché enamel rings. Theezels, pendant and bow similarly decorated, gold hinged spring-loaded cuvette. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions and fifth second points. Gold 'heart' hands. M. 50 mm o, gilt brass fully engraved 'Chinese' calibre, free-standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, uncut three-arm bimetallic balance with three square weights and three screws, diamond endstone.Signed on the movement.Diam. 60 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 288-289.