Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Geneva, Mar 29, 2009

LOT 368

William Carpenter, London, No. 4644. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1790. Very fine and rare, gilt metal, painted on enamel and paste-set small pair-cased coach watch with visible paste-set balance and ¼ second diablotine.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

USD 17,000 - 26,000 / EUR 14,000 - 20,000

C. Outer: Two-body, "bassine", the bezel engraved with foliate decoration, the back set with a Limoges-style painted on enamel panel decorated with a portrait of Marie Antoinette, border decorated to match the bezel. Gilt dust ring. D. White enamel, small hour dial at 12 with radial Roman numerals, subsidiary dials for the minutes, seconds, lunar calendar, ¼ second diablotine and regulation, aperture for the balance wheel decorated with alternating blue and red pastes. Gold hands. M. 52 mm, hinged dial plate, gilt brass full plate engraved with stylised foliage, tapered cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, five-arm gilt balance set with alternating red and blue pastes, blued steel bridge. Movement signed. Diam. 70 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3-19-31

Good

Dent(s)

Transformations

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-23-01

Good

Later

HANDS Original

Notes

William Carpenter (1770-1805)
Best known for his elaborate musical automata, several examples of which are preserved in the Peiping Museum. He made watches and automata for the Oriental market.