Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 14, 1990

LOT 169

Paul Hubert, Genève. Circa 1715.

A very fine gilt-metal pair-cased watch enamelled in the manner of Jean Mussard, with contemporary silver and giltmetal chatelaine and crank key. Bassine case with leaf engraved and gilt frame. Back enamelled on copper with Venus and Cupid, the border with a continuous landscape scene of figures and builings. Interior with a similiar scene painted "en camaieu" on an ochre ground. Loose-ring pendant, glazed gilt-metal double-body outer case, shagreen covered with gold pinwork decoration. White enamel dial with Roman hour chapters, Arabic five minute numerals, the centre with a landscape. GiIt "beetle" pattern hour and blued-steel "poker" minute hands. GiIt brass full plate movement with pierced Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three arm brass balance and Louis XIV cock pierced with foliage, phoenix and dolphin heads. Signed on a silvered plaque on the backplate. In excellent condition. Dim. 58 mm. Paul Hubert, originally working in Rouen, fled to Switzerland during the persecution following the revoccation of the Edict of Nantes. This watch was quite clearly made after he took up residence in Geneva. The enamel case can be closely attributed to Jean Mussard (1681-1754), a Genevan artist who painted in a similar style to the Huaud family.