Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Nov 16, 2008
LOT 424
Etienne Tavernier Watch & Louis Tavernier Calendar Key Etienne Tavernier a Paris, No. 7225. Made circa 1800. L. Tavernier. Made circa 1800. Very fine and rare, 18K gold pocket watch and an 18K gold watch key with day and date calendar, moon phase and lunar calendar.
CHF 22,000 - 27,000
USD 20,000 - 25,000 / EUR 14,000 - 17,000
Sold: CHF 18,000
Watch: C. Two-body, ?forme collier?, by Amy Gros, master mark AG, polished, bezel release catch in the crown. Hinged and sprung gilt metal cuvette. D.White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, winding arbor between 1 and 2 o?clock. Blued steel Breguet hands.M. 40 mm., frosted gilt, full plate, waisted cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, balance cock pierced and engraved with foliate initials ?ET?, silver regulation dial. Cuvette and movement signed, case with Amy Gros mastermark and French hallmarks. Diam. 51 mm. Key: C. Three-body, "forme collier", polished bezels, glazed on both sides, flat band, swivel loop. D. White enamel on the front with day (in black) and date (in red) indications. Blued steel hands. Back with polished gold plate, with moon phase aperture, enameled moon disc, age of the moon engraved on the border. M. All the functions advance by depressing a small lever protruding from the band each time the key is inserted in the winding square. Dial signed.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-25-01 |
Good Chipped HANDS Original |
Notes
Tavernier?s Calendar Key This type of key is instantly recognisable to horologists as a ?Tavernier? key. It is not only a beautiful object but a clever invention that keeps the owner supplied with the correct date. Every day one?s watch required winding and whilst performing this task the calendar in the key is automatically advanced by one day.When the key is placed on the watch?s winding arbor the calendar is advanced by one day and a steel rod is pushed out of the side of the key. When the rod is pushed back into the case, the moon phase is advanced.
Literature: A reproduction of the original instructions supplied by Tavernier for such astronomical keys is given by Mathieu Planchon in "Musée rétrospectif de la Classe 96, Horlogerie à l'Exposition Universelle Internationale de 1900 à Paris", p. 141, pl. CXVIII bis.