The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 336

Blondel & Melly, Genève, No 16634, circa 1840.Very fine and rare, 18 ct. gold and enamel miniature watch, with original fitted tortoiseshell box, ratchet key and short chain.

CHF 8,000 - 10,000

USD 5,000 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 16,100

C. Four-body, 'demi-bassine', gold, the back cover painted on enamel with flowers and leaves, reeded band, hinged gold cuvette. D. Matted silver, champlevé Roman chapters, outer minute divisions. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 13.5 mm o, weight 1,5 grams (including dial and hands), gilt brass bar calibre, 12 jewels, cylinder escapement, gold three-arm balance wheel, flat blued-steel balance spring.Signed on the cuvette.Diam. 16 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 188-189.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

Blondel Lot Melly, 15 Quai des Bergues, Geneva, 1820 - 1850Makers of very fine watches, they specialised in very thin and small watches, as well as examples decorated with fine enamel, pearls and precious stones, and complicated watches.'Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois', by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.Another miniature of their making is illustrated in 'Technique and History of the Swiss Watch' by Eugène Jaquet and Alfred Chapuis, plate XX.