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Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 284

Gaudron à Paris, circa 1690.Rare and fine gilt metal single-hand "oignon" alarm watch.

CHF 3,000 - 4,000

USD 1,900 - 2,500

Sold: CHF 7,705

C. Two-body, "oignon", engraved and pierced for sound, back turned with circular pattern, bezel chased with stylized foliage.D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, inner quarter-hour ring, center with enamel alarm disc with Arabic numerals with steel pointer indicating hours, gilt "index" alarm setting hand.M. 45 mm, hinged, gilt full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement with brass balance and short balance spring, Louis XIV cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage, Tompion type regulator, alarm with fixed engraved barrel and steel train, striking on a bell by both sides of short oval cantilever hammer.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 58 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 39
Movement: 4 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 3 - 22 - 03

Notes

Antoine I Gaudron (circa 1660-1714)Received as Master clockmaker, he is recorded at Saint-Germain des Prés between 1660 and 1665, then in Paris on June 5, 1675. He was "Juré"from 1690 to 1692. In 1698 he took his son Pierre as a partner, trading in clocks, precious stones, pictures, mirrors, porcelain, bronzes and jewels. He invented remarkable movements with several functions. According to his son Pierre, in 1688 he made a "regulator... which followed equation by means of a curve which raised or lowered the clock", which would mke it the first French equation clock.