Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 12

Quarter-Repeating Oignon Cv(u)per a Blois. Made circa 1710. Fine and very rare, quarter-repeating, Louis XIV, gilt brass oignon watch.

C. Two-body, ?oignon?, the back chased and engraved with a female bust in profile within a foliate border with musical trophy, pierced sound frets, the bezel decorated with foliate strapwork, loose ring pendant. D. Silver and gilt with radial black champleve Roman numerals, inner quarter-hour ring, outer minute divisions with Arabic five-minute numerals, winding aperture between 4 and 5. Blued steel beetle and poker hands. M. 43 mm, frosted gilt full plate, divided Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, worm and wheel set-up, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, pierced and chased cock decorated with inhabited foliage and strapwork, Tompion-type regulator with silver scale disc, repeating with a single hammer on a bell in the back of the case activated by depressing the pendant. Movement signed. Diam. 57 mm.