The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 76

Morand ? Geneve, No. 5039, circa 1840.18 ct. gold and enamel slim widow's watch with matching chatelaine, key, blank seal and a locket.

C. Four-body, 'bassine', gold hinged cuvette. A snake, in this context death-healing, entwines the watch. The head of the snake, which has garnets for eyes, forms the pendant, the bow passing through its mouth. This is attached to the gold and black enamel chatelaine near the centre, the locket, seal and key being suspended below. The back of the case, which is opened by pushing the snake's nose, has an enamelled floral design on a black background, finely painted with flowers over black enamelurrounded with gold flowers at the edges, the front bezel with black enamel and gold foliage. Chatelaine with five black enamelled domed panels decorated with gold scrolls, small locket, key and seal suspended below. D. Silver, Roman chapters over engine-turning in sunburst pattern. Gold Breguet hands. M. 20.3 mm, early gilded bridge calibre, 4 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain gilt brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring.Signed on the cuvette.Diam. 33mm, length 194 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 214-215.