Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, May 13, 2007

LOT 594

?Early Large Coach Watch? Josias Joly a Paris. Made circa 1630. Very fine and exceptionally rare, early, large, silver, and shagreen pair-cased single-hand pre-balance spring hour-striking two-train coach clock watch with alarm (now converted to balance spring).

CHF 70,000 - 90,000

EUR 45,000 - 55,000 / USD 57,000 - 75,000

C. Inner: Two-body, "bassine", deep back with curved-in band pierced and engraved with flowers and foliage, polished back, loose ring pendant, split bezel the hinge with floral engraving. Outer: Pierced shagreen with silver furniture and pique monogram under a baronial coronet. D. Silver, hinged, two-part, the inner revolving disk profusely engraved with flowers with Arabic alarm chapters indicated by a long central hand, small blued steel pointer attached at the edge for the hours, outer chapter ring with radial Roman hours, star halves and quarter hour track all the numerals and divisions in champlevé, outer engraved silver border. M. 64 mm., gilt metal, full plate with turned pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm steel balance with flat balance spring, engraved and foliate pierced single-footed cock, worm and wheel mainspring set-up, striking train driven from a foliate pierced fixed barrel, silver numbered count wheel mounted on the back plate with floral engra ving, striking with single hammer on a large pork-pie bell mounted in the back of the case, alarm via a ?u-shaped? double-ended hammer. Movement signed. Diam. 93mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-7-10

Good

Oxidized

Patinated
Movement: 3-9-19*

Good

Scratched

Dent(s)

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-9-06

Good

Scratched

HANDS Partially replaced

Notes

Josias Joly is listed as having been made master in 1608 and dying in 1642. An enamel watch by him is listed as being in the Bloch collection. The present watch is one of the largest coach watches from such an early date. The exceptional condition of the watch, and the fact that it incorporates an alarm along with hour striking, further enhances the rarity of the present watch and helps to shed light on the progress of watchmaking in early 17th century France.