Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 14, 1990
LOT 290
Kehlhoff (Germany?), circa 1780. Fine 20 ct. gold skeleton watch with an unusual escapement.
CHF 5,500 - 6,500
Sold: CHF 11,500
Double body glazed "Louis XVI" polished case. White enamel dial with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gold Louis XV hands. Very fine skeletonized full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fixed barrel, interesting inverted cylinder escapement with a brass escape wheel, set like a Breguet ruby cylinder escapement, the half section of the steel cylinder in the form of a tile, being completely isolated from the balance staff, gilt brass continental cock and polished steel endpiece. Signed on the border of the back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 40 mm. Already existing on another very peculiar skeleton watch of the same period, made by the same maker, signed: " Kehlhoff in Mannheim", this escapement foreshadows the Breguet ruby cylinder escapement whose ruby tile is shaped the sanie way and the escape wheel as well is cut with teeth of the same form.
