Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Oct 13, 2001

LOT 438

J. Baillon, No. 3038, Paris, circa 1765.Very fine, rare and important 18K gold and enamel, diamond-set ring watch in original, shagreen-covered box.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

USD 30,000 - 36,000

C. Rose-cut diamond-set bezel, band with foliate and floral pattern champlevé enamel, back covered with initials "VJ" in translucent blue enamel, diamond-set shank. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring, winding aperture between 10 and 11 o'clock. Blued steel "beetle and poker" hands. M. 14,5 mm ø, hinged, gilt brass full plate, fusee and chain, reversed cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance-spring, continental cock, train with solid whels without spokes.Signed on the movement.Diam. 18mm, height with shank: 27 mm.It is extremely rare to find a ring watch of this quality, and particularly of French origin. This one has a diamond-set shank, and was undoubtedly made for an important and discerning client.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3 - 5 - 01

Notes

Baillon, Jean Baptiste III Albert (d. 1772)received Valet de Chambre-Horloger Ordinaire de la Reine in 1727, Premier Valet de Chambre de la Reine Marie Leszczynska (before 1748), then Premier Valet de Chambre and Valet de Chambre-Horloger Ordinaire de la Dauphine Marie-Antoinette in 1770. He was established Place Dauphine in 1738 and rue Dauphine after 1751. Jean-Baptiste III Baillon was one of the most important clockmakers of the eighteenth century in terms of the extent of his business, and an extremely wealthy man. He prefered the cyinder escapement against the verge. Berthoud described his establishment as: "the finest and richest Clock Shop" and said that his house in Saint-Germain was "a kind of Factory. It is full of Workmen continually labouring for him? for he alone makes a large proportion of the Clocks and Watches (of Paris)."Baillon used cases by the Caffieris, J.B. Osmond, J.J. de Saint-Germain, B. Lieutaud, Vandernasse and E. Roy, and also used the services of the enameler Chaillou. Among his clients were the Garde-Meuble, the Royal family, the Spanish Crown, and distinguished members of the Court and Parisian society.