The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 85

Paris abducting HelenAttributed to Jaquet-Droz, enamel painting attributed to the workshop of J-L. Richter.Extremely fine and very rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set, double train, three-tune musical watch with centre seconds and stop feature, made for the Oriental market.

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Sold: CHF 223,500

C. Three-body, both covers spring-loaded. The back very finely painted on translucent dark blue enamel with the Abduction of Helen by Paris, taken from an engraving after a painting by Guido Reni (1575-1642), on the right a flower vase with flowers, leaves, sheaves of wheat, and garlands in gold paillons. The painting surrounded by florally decorated enamel and paillon frame, bezels set with half pearls, case band pierced and engraved.D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring and quarter second divisions for the centre seconds hand. Gold Breguet hands with pierced tips. M. 50 mm o, gilt brass three-quarter plate to allow for the five bells, cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, continental cock pierced and engraved, stop lever at one o'clock to stop the watch in order to set it precisely.Five-wheel musical train finished with a fly wheel, going barrel, pinned cylinder, five hammers striking on five bells, hammers spring-loaded with adjustments to assure the correct strength of the blows, cam-type mechanism with three steps, enabling the change of tunes. Plays on demand by pressing the push button on the pendant. Choice of three melodies through a lever at 4 o'clock.Diam. 60 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 252-253.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2 - 13 - 01

Notes

A watch whose movement has similar characteristics is published in 'La Montre Chinoise', Alfred Chapuis, plate after page 60.After the famous contest of beauty between three goddesses, Paris, the judge, and son of the King of Troy, was promised the most beautiful woman in the world by the victorious goddess Aphrodite (Venus). This happened to be Helen, the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. When Menelaus left for Crete for his grandfather's funeral, Paris seduced Helen and took her to Troy. For his sake Helen abandoned her daughter by Menelaus. The often-seen phrases the 'abduction of Helen' or even the 'rape of Helen'are only conventions; for she went with Paris of her own free will and in doing so involuntarily caused the Trojan War.Richter Jean LouisFor a biography, see lot 47.Jaquet-DrozFor a biography, see page 118.