The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 337

David-Henri Elffroth, Geneva, circa 1875.Extremely rare and probably unique, 18 ct. gold miniature double-train key-wound doctor's pendant watch with independent dead seconds, honoured by a prize from the Geneva Société des Arts.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

USD 18,000 - 24,000

Sold: CHF 33,350

C. Two-body, in shape of a small oval pillbox, polished, loop pendant, loose ring, concave back made to fit the curvature of the finger. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute and dead second divisions, gold dial mask chased and engraved with scrolls, steel regulating hand at 11 o'clock. Blued-steel Breguet hands,M. 13x17.6 mm, weight 5 grams (including dial and hands), oval, nickel, built on two levels, 16 jewels, cylinder escapement, gold three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring, independent dead seconds by a flirt acting on the escape wheel pinion, regulator through the dial, dead seconds activated by a small slide on the band of the case.Dim. 16 x 19 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 188-189.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 18 - 01

Notes

This is the smallest independent dead seconds watch ever made; in 1877 the Société des Arts honoured the maker with their annual prize for design and execution, a very prestigious event at the time in the world of horology. Apparently, even Geneva's famous watchmakers considered it quite a feat to make such a small double-train watch. The watch was probably designed to be worn either as a ring or a pendant, the original engraving shows it mounted on a ring.David-Henri Elffroth'établisseur', made repeating watches, independant dead seconds watches, and chronometers. He specialised in very small watches.