Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Nov 11, 2007

LOT 177

L? Amour Maternel, Quarter-Repeater on Two Bells Chevalier & Cochet, Geneva. Made circa 1790. Fine and rare, quarter-repeating on two stacked bells, 18K gold, polychrome enamel and pearl-set pocket watch with virgule escapement.

CHF 9,000 - 12,000

EUR 5,500 - 7,000 / USD 7,500 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 12,980

C. Two-body, ?Directoire?, polished band, seed pearl-set bezels, the back cover set with a finely painted polychrme enamel panel depicting a mother and child by a crib in a classical landscape, a baby on her knee, translucent royal blue enamel background over sunray engine-turning, blue paillon and white enamel dot border. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer star minute divisions and Arabic quarter-hour numerals. Pierced gold hands. M. 41 mm., frosted gilt, crescent-shaped backplate with two bells sunk into the movement, flared cylindrical pillars, going barrel beneath the bells, virgule escapement, three-arm balance between the dial and dial plate, flat blued steel balance spring, wheel and arbor regulator, repeating with two hammers on two bells activated by depressing the pendant. Dial signed. Bell scratch-signed: Chenevière. Diam. 51 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-60-01

Fair

HANDS Original

Notes

The movement of the present watch is a rare type where the two stacked bells are sunk into the movement. Most of the few watches known to exist fitted with similar movements, also carry the signature of the Genevan watchmakers Chevalier & Cochet. However, other examples have been discovered variously signed by Pepin, Genève; Moricand, Genève; Bordier & Cie, Genève and Scherer & Fils. It was not known which maker actually invented this type of movement until the discovery of the scratched signature ?Inventé par Antoine Rojard? on the movement of the watch by Bordier & Cie sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, October 16, 2005, Lot 245.