Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 20, 1991

LOT 259

Anonymous Swiss, circa 1815. Rare gold and enamel "bras en l'air " watch.

CHF 40,000 - 50,000

C. Three body, the band decorated with formal pattern in black, white and red champlevé enamel with facetted bezels, back panel of blue translucent enamel over engine-turning (repaired) . D. Centred with enamelled landscape scene in the manner of Troll against blue translucent sky ( very small hidden repair), the border of engraved gold and powder blue champlevé enamel with two semicircular white enamel sectors, Roman hour numerals to the left, Arabic minutes to the right. Applied varicoloured gold figure of a cherub and a maiden holding a flag and a sword. M. Gilt brass full-plate, fusee and chain, verge escap ement with plain balance, flat spring, piercec continental cock. Bras en l'air mechanism activated by depressing the pendant, hand setting by a wheel in the dial edge. In good condition. Diam: 53 mm.


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Notes

The sequence of operation for the "bras en l'air" is as follows: depressing the pendant initially releases the right arm carrying the flag which instantaneously moves to the hour. Subsequently the left arm with the sword jumps instantaneously to the minute, at the same time as the woman's head turns to the left.