Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

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

LOT 687

?Leda and the Swan? Ellicott, London, No. 8866, Case by Peter Mounier, chasing and enameling by a follower of George Michael Moser. London hallmarks for 1800-01. Very fine and equally rare 18K gold and painted on enamel quarter-repeating pair-cased watch striking on a bell.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 12,000 - 20,000 / USD 16,000 - 25,000

Sold: CHF 23,600

C. Outer: two-body, the back with an ?en grisaille? enamel panel depicting "Leda and the Swan? after Boucher, framed by a coiled serpent, bezels with translucent dark blue enamel with intertwined white enamel band, gold framed piercing for sound transition. Inner: two-body, "bassine", the band pierced and engraved with foliage, Flemish mask, central cartouche with floral wreath. Gilt dust cap. D. White enamel, radial Arabic chapters, outer minute divisions with star quarters. Gold ?spade? hands. M. 34 mm., hinged gilt brass full plate with round pillars, fusee and chain, steel cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain steel three-arm balance, diamond end-stone in screwed chaton, single-footed pierced and engraved cock, silver regulator disc, worm and wheel set-up, two hammers repeating on a bell fixed to the case back. Signed Ellicott on the movement and the dust cap, movement dust-cap numbered, inner case with Peter Mounier's master mark, Bell signed Drury. Diam. 53 mm. Property of an English Gentleman


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-50-60

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Partially replaced

Notes

The case of the present lot was certainly decorated by a student of George Michael Moser. The quality, style and composition of the painting on enamel is very similar to that of Moser and the use of a snake as a decorative device is typical of Moser's early work where the vast majority of his repoussé cases have a serpent guarding the push-piece. Although Thomas Ellicott died in 1772, his workshop continued to be run by his son Edward well into the 19th century.

Leda and the Swan In Greek mythology, Leda was the daughter of the Aetolian king Thestius, and the wife of Tyndareus, the king of Sparta. Leda was loved by Zeus, who came to her by the riverside, taking the form of a swan seeking protection from a pursuing eagle. In this guise he lay with her, and their union resulted in two eggs from which hatched Helen - later known as the beautiful Helen Of Troy, Clytemnestra, and the twins Castor and Pollux.