Henri Grandjean & Cie. Le Locle No.29708, made for the Spanish market, circa 1890. Outstanding 18 ct. four coloured gold, huntingcased, quarter-repeating, moon-phase astronomical keyless dual time watch with flyback perpetual calendar, and chronograph. | Important Collectors Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clock | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 20th October 1991

Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 20, 1991

LOT 455

Henri Grandjean & Cie. Le Locle No.29708, made for the Spanish market, circa 1890. Outstanding 18 ct. four coloured gold, huntingcased, quarter-repeating, moon-phase astronomical keyless dual time watch with flyback perpetual calendar, and chronograph.

CHF 160,000 - 190,000

C. Five body massive "bassine et filets carrure ronde" profusely chased and engraved overall with elaborate foliage, the covers with four colour high relief decoration of iris flowers cartouche, scrolls and a mask. Engraved gold cuvette. D. White enamel, inner ring with Roman hour numerals, outer with Arabic dual time and chronograph, fly-back date sector below XII, and sunk subsidiary dials for week days, months and seconds, aperture for gold and enamel moon phase with calendar. Blued-steel "spade" hands. M. Glazed 20"', nickeled with "fausses côtes" decoration, 37 jewels, gold train, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Repeating on gongs with slide in the band, Chronograph with visible work, push-piece on the edge of the dial. Signed on the dial and case. In excellent condition. Diam. 62 mm.

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The case of this watch is a master piece of the goldsmith and case maker's combined skills. Not only is the four colour work of particularly high relief and fine quality, but also the construction of the case itself, involving some 27 different parts, is a remarkable achievement. Le Locle was the best known center in Switzerland for the making of cases with elaborate gold work and engraved decoration. Such work was usually destined for the Spanish and South American market.