Important Watches and Wristwatches

Hong Kong, Hotel Furama, May 28, 1989

LOT 105

Gloria a Rouen, circa 1690. K'ang Hsi.

Extremely rare and very important early quarter repeating silver cased Louis XIV 'onion' without ' fusee'. Double body silver covered gilt brass case, an earl's crown engraved on the back, the gilt brass dial rim pierced and engraved with scrolled foliage. White enamel dial with Roman numerals (hair cracks.) Single blued steel hand. Very important gilt brass full plate movement with 'a mphore' pillars, fixed barrel with a 30 hour power reserve indication revolving disc on the back plate, verge escapement, plain steel three armed balance, early balance-spring with Barrow type worm screw regulation. Gilt brass cock pierced and engraved in such a way the balance spring can be seen. Ruby endstone. Very unusual early quarter repeating train specially devided for the caliber of watches only set with a single hand. The loading lever is set between the dial and the front plate, therefore the pendant can't be used as usual to wind it and the movement has to be hinged in the case at six o'clock in order to allow the loading piston to pass through the bezel, in front of the pendant. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm.