Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 17, 1992

LOT 459

Jean Baptiste Duboule (Geneva), the enamel attributed to Peter Huaud le pere, circa 1665. Important and very fine gold and enamel pendant watch.

CHF 130,000 - 150,000

Sold: CHF 204,250

C. Double body bassine enamelled overall, the exterior decorated with green translucent enamel over a flinque' ground, centred with a raised portrait bust of an Amazon ( possibly Minerva), surrounded by a wreath of foliage enamelled en pale' in pink, yellow and black on a white ground, the split bezel enamelled en suite, the edge with summer flowers against white (small old repairs at base). Interior with a portrait bust of Mars framed with black scroll-work on a powder blue ground. Loose-ring pendant. D. Off-white enamel on gold with Roman numerals and half-hour divisions, the centre decorated with a ring of flowers on a green ground matching the sides. Single balluster-turned gold hand. M. Gilt-brass full plate with turned balluster pillars, fusee now with chain, three wheel train with verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring. Irregular oval form cock pierced and engraved with foliage. Worm-and-wheel set-up with delicately pierced blued-steel brackets (one partially deficient ) and silver regulator disk. Signed on the movement. In very good condition. Diam. 32mm.


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Notes

A similar watch is illustrated plate 2 in colour and plate 20 in black and white in "La Montre Suisse" by Alfred Chapuis. Jean-Baptiste Duboule, born 1615, died 1694, was the second son of Martin Duboule, the maker of the oldest known surviving watch from Geneva. His date of birth makes him a close contemporary of Pierre Huaud le père (born 1612, died 1680), and their collaboration would be natural. Only one watch case signed P. Huaud pinxit à Genève and definitely attributable to the father is presently known, (Dr. E. Gschwind Foundation, see S. Bull/F. Sturm, Geneva Watches, Basel 1978, exhibition catalogue for the Musée d'Horlogerie, item 7), but the technique and colours employed are remarkably similar to those of the watch now offered for sale. Several of the characteristics typical of Pierre's work are to be found, namely: the use of translucent green enamel against a flinqué ground, the high relief white enamel overlay, the small flowers on a white ground that border the edge, and the bright orange colour used on the costumes. The strong blue ground used on the interior with black foliage decoration is a further characteristic, but can also be found on cases by other contemporary enamellers.