Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Mar 16, 2008

LOT 546

Rock Crystal Pre-Balance Spring Watch Henry Gebhart A Strasbourg. Made circa 1640. Extremely fine and equally rare, gilt-metal and rock crystal pre-balance spring, single-handed pendant watch of lobed form.

CHF 65,000 - 85,000

USD 58,000 - 77,000 / EUR 40,000 - 53,000

C. Two-piece frame, the borders engraved with a hatched pattern, duo decagonal lobed and fluted rock crystal cover and back, loose-ring pendant and button finial. D. Circular, gilt brass dial plate with engraved decoration, silver dial with engraved radial Roman numerals and inner half hour divisions. Single blued steel tulip hand. M. 30 mm., circular gilt brass plates with turned baluster pillars, fusee for early chain, short train, verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without spring, irregular florally pierced and engraved small balance cock with small foot secured by a screw, wormand- wheel setup with pierced blued-steel brackets and silver indicator disc. Movement signed. Diam. 37 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Henry Gebhart of Strasburg Is recorded as working circa 1630 to 1660. This type of watch - gilt-metal and rock crystal - is usually associated with the period before 1630; however the form of the cock and the worm-and-wheel setup are closer to 1640. A probable explanation of the somewhat anachronistic appearance is to be found in the proximity of Strasburg to the German states, with the likelihood that his clientele would be appreciative of the 'Augsburg' style of the early 17th century. To this end, it is interesting to note that astronomical table clocks are also known by Gebhardt. A watch signed Henry Gebhart is in the Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva.