Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 20, 1991

LOT 307

George Graham, London, No.941, circa 1750. A very rare and fine gold and enamel pair cased quarter- repeating watch.

CHF 30,000 - 35,000

Sold: CHF 29,900

C. Double body outer, the bezels with white ellet decoration entwined with engraved foliage against blue borders, back of blue translucent enamel centred with an oval panel decorated with an allegorical scene of Innocence in the manner of Moser. Inner, double body, pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage and grotesque mas(No. 941, makers mark T.C.) D. White enamel with Roman numerals. Gold " beetle-and-poker" hands. M. Gilt brass full plate, turned pillars, fusee with chain, cylinder escapement with steel 'scape wheel, plain balance, flat sping and regulator, balance cock with pierced table and diamond endstone. Repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant. Gilt dust cap. Signed on the back plate and dust cap. Very good condition. Diam. 48mm.


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Notes

Although the outer case of the watch is not pierced,it has provision for the 'a toc' thumb piece. The fit of the two cases together and the exceptional quality of the enamel outer leaves little doubt that the outer was made specifically for the watch,perhaps some 15 years later. Most high quality decorative watches made during the 18th century in England were originally provided with a second outer case, normally constructed of robust material, leather covered and designed for everyday wear. This was particularly true for repousse watches. Since enameling superceeded gold repousse work as a fashion after 1760, it would have been perfectly acceutable for a repeating watch of the quality procuced by Graham to have been updated with a new case in the latest style. Formerly in the Eli collection