Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Oct 13, 2001

LOT 450

Atributed to Abraham Arlaud I, Geneva, circa 1660, made for Islamic market.Very fine and rare oval, shagreen-covered, pre balance-spring, single-hand pendant watch.

CHF 10,000 - 14,000

USD 6,000 - 8,500

Sold: CHF 13,800

C. Two-body, brown shagreen covered, gilt brass hinged bezel with green faceted crystal, small pendant, loose ring. D. Oval, white enamel with Islamic numerals, entirely painted on enamel with floral and foliate polychrome pattern. Single gilt "tulip" hand. M. 43 x 47 mm oval, gilt full plate entirely decorated with scrolls in the Persian style, thin, rectangular pierced pillars, fusee and gut-line (now chain), verge escapement, two-arm iron balance without a spring, elongated silver cock pierceand engraved with symmetrical foliage with oval, conical foot secured by a screw, ratchet wheel and click set-up with unusual calibration by a pointer on the back plate.Dim. 44 x 62 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 22
Movement: 3 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 3 - 17 - 01

Notes

We know that there were a few Western watchmakers who set up shop in the Middle East, particularly in Turkey, but there was also quite a large colony in Persia.It is clear this watch was made in Geneva, there are several indications of this, first, the extreme sophistication of the movement, for which Genevese watchmakers were famous; secondly, the movement features elements common to other Genevese watches, very unusual pillars and a typical manner of finishing the wheels and the fusee, as well as the characteristic shape of the cock.A similar watch, signed by Arlaud, and also made for the Islamic market, is in the Musée International de l'Horlogerie, Château des Monts, La Chaux-de-Fonds, inv. No. 1-555.Several of the same characteristics can be seen in lot 339 of The Sandberg Watch Collection sale, held by Antiquorum on March 31 and April 1, 2001.