Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Geneva, Mar 29, 2009

LOT 60

J(aques) Sermand, (Geneva). Made circa 1640. Very fine and rare, pre-balance spring, single-handed, gilt brass, dodecahedral faceted rock crystal and silver pendant watch of lobed form.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

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

Sold: CHF 30,000

C. Two-body, gilt brass frame and bezel with feather engraving, turned lower finial and loose ring pendant, twelvelobed rock crystal cover over the dial, silver twelve-lobed back made to replace the original rock crystal back. D. Silver, radial Roman hour numerals with inner dots, lozenge half-hour divisions, the center engraved with a riverside townscape with figures, gilt brass dial plate engraved with flowers and foliage, four locating pins with corresponding slots in the case band. Fine steel tulip hand. M. 28 mm., gilt brass full plate, turned vase-shaped pillars, fusee and gut-line, short four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, verge escapement, steel two-arm circular foliot, elongated cock pierced and engraved with flowers secured by a pin, ratchet wheel and click mainspring set-up. Movement signed. Diam. 33 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-19

Good

Dent(s)
Movement: 3-19*

Good

Dent(s)

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

is interesting that the back of the case has been remade in silver in an exact replica of the shape of the lost crystal original. This replacement would appear to be of considerable age, quite possibly 18th century, and illustrates how valued these watches were by their owners.
Provenance : Christie?s Geneva, November 18, 1992, lot 157.
Jaques Sermand (1595-1651)
A master watchmaker, the son of Henry. Made agate and rock crystal form watches designed as a cross, a star, a tulip, or a skull. Signed a watch designed as a six-pointed star with fitted box. He taught 11 apprentices, among them: Robert Legrand in 1623; Pierre Reboul in 1627; Claude Reboul in 1628; Isaac Penard in1632; Jacques I Joly in 1635; Amy Colavin in 1639; Paul Fabbi in 1640; Alexandre Larrive in 1644; Pierre Dunant and Jean Dunant in 1645; Thomas Ravaud in 1648. His nephew, also named Jacques Sermand (1636 ? 1667), was a watchmaker as well.