Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 474

Independent Dead Center-Seconds Grellier, a St. Pierre, M(artini)que, No. 24730. Made circa 1820. Fine and rare, two-train, independent dead center-seconds, silver hunting cased pocket watch with ruby cylinder escapement.

CHF 2,800 - 3,800

USD 2,600 - 3,500 / EUR 1,800 - 2,500

C. Four-body, "forme quatre baguettes", engine-turned ?grains d?orge?, bolt at 8 o?clock for locking the center-seconds. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track. Gold Breguet hour and minute hands, blued steel center-seconds hand. M. 47 mm (21???) gilt brass, standing barrels for both trains, fully jeweled ruby cylinder escapement, three-arm balance with pare-chute on the upper pivot, blued steel flat balance spring with bimetallic temperature compensation curb on the index regulator. Cuvette signed. Diam. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 4-11

Fair

Slightly worn
Movement: 3-8*

Good

Slightly scratched

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-27-01

Fair

Custom-made

HANDS Original

Notes

It is extremely unusual to find a watch signed with Martinique as the place of origin. This watch is of French construction and would either have been exported to Martinique for sale or perhaps made there by a French émigré watchmaker. Martinique, an overseas department of France, is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea with a land area of 1,128 km². Its official language is French, although almost all of its inhabitants also speak Antillean Creole (Créole Martiniquais). For a note on independent dead center-seconds, see previous lot.