Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong,the Ritz Carlton Hotel,harbour Room, 3rd Floor, Nov 25, 2006

LOT 209

"Lavinia Receiving The Letter from Palemon" Piguet & Meylan, Genève, No. 3581, the case by Frères Oltramare. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1820. Extremely fine and very rare, quarter-repeating, 18K gold, painted on enamel and pearl-set pocket watch.

HKD 550,000 - 700,000

USD 70,000 - 90,000 / EUR 55,000 - 70,000

Sold: HKD 944,000

C. Four-body, "Empire", the bezels set with split-pearls and with pale blue champleve enamel borders, the band, pendant and bow decorated with royal blue enamel and the band set with split-pearls, the back cover decorated with a finely painted on enamel scene depicting Lavinia and Palemon in a wooded landscape. Hinged gold cuvette decorated with a pale blue champleé enamel flower and leaf garland.
D. Gold, matted chapter ring with polished radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds, engineturned center. Blued steel "Breguet" hands.
M. 45 mm., frosted gilt, standing barrel, jeweled cylinder escapement, three-arm gold balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator with bimetallic temperature compensation curb, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Movement punched with Piguet & Meylan's mark "PM" on the dial plate beneath the dial, case punched with Frères Oltramare's mark "FO". Diam. 53 mm.


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Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This painting illustrates a story from James Thomson?s popular poems "The Seasons" dating from 1726?30. The rural lovers Palemon and Lavinia appear in Thomson?s "Autumn"; they are adapted from the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz. Palemon, a gentleman, professes his love for the country girl Lavinia, in a harvest-time setting. Thomson?s sentimental fantasy of rural romance was particularly attractive to a generation brought up on the ideals of Sensibility. The poem that accompanies this scene is as follows: And are thou then Acastos' dear remains? She whom my restless Gratitude has sought// So long in vain, O Heav'ns! the very frame The soften'd Image of my Noble Friend.
Piguet & Meylan.
Both originally from the village of Le Chenit in the Vallée de Joux, Isaac Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) and Philippe Samuel Meylan (1772- 1845) came to Geneva as young men, and formed a partnership which lasted from 1811 to 1828. The company specialized in elaborate and beautifully decorated musical watches, including skeleton and automaton watches, and mechanical animals. The firm was established at 45, rue Jean Jacques Rousseau in Geneva. After their association came to an end, both Piguet and Meylan continued for some time to work with their sons.
Isaac Daniel Piguet.
Born in 1775 in Le Chenit in the Vallée de Joux, Isaac Daniel Piguet was the son of Pierre Moïse Piguet and Elisabeth Nicole. He married Jeanne Françoise Capt around 1795, and around 1800 settled in Geneva with his family. Isaac Daniel Piguet went into business with Henry Daniel Capt, his brother-in-law, on February 10, 1802. The association between Piguet & Meylan came to an end in 1828. Piguet and his son David Auguste established a new company, Piguet père & fils, located no 69 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Isaac Daniel Piguet died in Geneva, on January 20, 1841, at the age of 66.
Philippe Samuel Meylan.
Born February 15, 1772, in Bas-du-Chenit, died in Geneva in 1845. At 20 years of age he came to Geneva where he was a master worker for the Godemar Frères. He met another watchmaker from his native region, Isaac Piguet, and they entered into partnership, founding the Piguet & Meylan firm, which was to last from 1811 to 1828. It specialized in minute cadratures, musical watches, skeleton and automaton watches. Meylan is also credited with the invention of the bagnolet caliber. After Piguet & Meylan was dissolved, Philippe Samuel Meylan continued to work with his sons François and Auguste.
Frères Oltramare
Working in Geneva between 1810/11-1826.