Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Hotel Furama Kempinski, May 24, 1992

LOT 119

Anonymous, Swiss for the French market, circa 1800. Extremely rare gilt-metal and enamel watch with decimal and convential time dial.

HKD 75,000 - 100,000

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

Sold: HKD 92,000

C. Two-body, the bezel set with large pastes, the back with an enamel panel depicting the symbols of the French Revolution against a blue guilloche ground. D. White enamel with concentric rings for decimal hours (black Roman numerals), decimal minutes (black Arabic numerals), convential 2 x 12 hours(red Arabic numerals), and conventional minutes (red 15 minute Arabic numerals). Centre with a polychrome enamel scene of Revolutionary flavour. Gold moon hands for minutes, double-ended hand for hours. M. GiIt full-plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement with plain brass balance, flat spring and pierced continental cock. In good condition (see above). Diam. 55mm.


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Notes

It is rare to find a decimal watch that lias gearing to show both decimal, convential minutes, and the sybols of the revolution painted in such a decorative manner. At our knowledge, this watch is the unique example shouring such a compromise betwen the rigour of the revolution and the States of this period.