Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 17, 1992

LOT 455

I. G. K. (Johann Georg Kreittmayr?) German, circa 1625 Fine and very rare small gilt-metal, gold, enamel and rock-crystal stackfreed watch.

CHF 60,000 - 70,000

C. Two body, gilt-metal front frame only with chevron engraved border, hinged to pierced and engraved mounting brackets with loose-ring pendant and button finial. Octagonal faceted rock crystal cover and back. D. Octagonal, with gilt brass dial plate with gold plaque, champleve enamelled with black Roman chapters, the centre and surround with floral sprays in green blue and umber translucent enamel. Single blued-steel tulip pattern hand. M. Oval, gilt-brass plates, turned balluster pillars, engraved fixed barrel with going arbour, three wheel train with verge escapement, two-arm steel balance without spring, irregular florally pierced and engraved cock. C-scroll steel stackfreed with curved friction blade, 25 tooth brass stop-wheel with engraved brass cam. Pierced and engraved hog's bristle regulator. Signed on the movement. In very good condition. Dims. 45 x 24 mm.


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Notes

As with all attributions based on initiais (unless firm documentary evidence exists to the contrary), there remains a strong element of conjecture. However amongst the recorded German watchmakers Johann Georg Kreittmayr is virtually alone in having suitable dates and initiais. According to Abeler, he was a Burger in 1634 and died in Munich in 1664. The use of a gold dial plaque on a gilt-metal watch may appear to be an anomaly, but is in Tact quite correct in view of the enamel decoration. Although watch cases enamelled on brass are known to exist, (see Gschwind, Stackfreed Exhibition, Geneva, 1979, No. 4) the choice of thinly applied translucent colours required that they be used on gold.