Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 14, 1990

LOT 393

Anonymous, Swiss, (Probably John Rich) circa 1790. Rare gold and enamel scent flask with inset watch and carillion musical movement. Original fitted and tooled leather case.

Vase shaped flask, the flat sides decorated with alternating trellis and flower patterns decorated in pale blue, white and red champleve enamel on a hatched ground. Hinged covers decorated with ribbon garlands of flowers and an allegorical scene beneath a translucent pink ground within blue and red champleve enamelled borders (old repairs to panels and borders) gold stopper with pierced and engraved finial unscrewing to form a key. Small white enamel watch dial visible behind a glazed bezel with Roman hour numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Rosediamond set "variés" hands. Movement with cartouches shaped engraved and gilt plates, going barrel and cylinder escapement. Three-arm plain silver balance with rosediamond rim, visible through an aperture in the case. Plain cock with polished steel end piece. Back with standing pin barrel and playing on a nest of four bells. Case with maker's punch P.G. beneath a crown. In good condition. Dim. 10.8 cm. overall length.