Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Nov 12, 2006

LOT 180

?Independent Quarter-Repeat? Chapon & Ligier à Genève, ebauche by Decombaz. Made circa 1820. Very fine and unusual, 18K gold, three-train, petite et grande sonnerie clockwatch with independent quarter-repeat, four square gongs and virgule escapement.

CHF 13,000 - 16,000

EUR 8,200 - 10,000 / USD 10,000 - 13,000

Sold: CHF 14,160

C. Four-body, "Empire", polished with reeded band. Hinged gilt metal cuvette. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute track. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 52 mm (23'''), frosted gilt, full-plate, virgule escapement, gold three-arm balance, lever for change from petite to grande sonnerie at 3 o'clock, strike/silent lever at 4 o'clock, independent repeating train striking on its own two square gongs, activated by depressing the pendant. Cuvette signed, case stamped "P3G" within an oval and ID within a lozenge. Diam. 58.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3-9*

Good

Scratched

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

A rare example of a four-gong clockwatch with virgule escapement. Decombaz was one of the best watchmakers of his time. He worked for Abraham-Louis Breguet, especially for self-winding and grande sonnerie watches. This watch was previously sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, April 24, 2004, lot 340.