Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...
Geneva, Nov 14, 2009
LOT 122
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt Enamel Pendant Watch Case possibly Augsburg. Made circa 1670. Movement by Isaac Phelippon, London, No. 350. Made circa 1780. Very fine, important and unusual 20K gold and painted enamel key-wound pendant watch.
CHF 10,000 - 15,000
USD 10,000 - 15,000 / EUR 6,700 - 10,000
Sold: CHF 12,000
C. Two-body, "bassine" with rounded edge, hinged gold bezel decorated with foliage, finely painted enamel with a scene depicting the rest on the flight into Egypt, with the Madonna and Child, a donkey, a goat, and two angels, the inside painted with a rural landscape. D. White enamel with painted radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals, winding aperture at 4. M. 42 mm., frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance with flat balance spring, single-footed cock. Movement signed. Diam. 48.5 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-31 |
Good Transformations |
Movement: 3-22* |
Good Later original Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-26-33-07 |
Good Upgraded Restored HANDS Replaced |
Notes
The disposition of the enamel scene, without the ring dividing the back from the band, which was typically present during the second half of the 17th century, is also unusual. It was a common practice in the 18th century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collections.
Enamel is a form of glass. Its base is a colorless compound called flux, which is a combination of silica (obtained from fine white sand), lead, potassium or sodium salts, lime, and borax. By varying the proportions of these components, different degrees of hardness and resistance to the environment can be achieved. The metals most suitable for enameling are gold, copper, silver, and platinum. The color effects are created by the addition of metal oxides, which give various hues. Enameling of watch cases was usually practiced on gold and copper. The few surviving watches from the 16th century and the vast majority of those from the 17th century are almost always made of high-carat gold.