Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...

Geneva, Nov 14, 2009

LOT 342

Cloisonne Dial ? Two Americas Tissot, Swiss, case No. 18943. Made circa 1955. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, 14K yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial representing North and South America.

CHF 8,000 - 12,000

USD 8,000 - 12,000 / EUR 5,500 - 8,000

Sold: CHF 18,000

C. Two-body, solid, polished, flared curved lugs. D. Bombe polychrome cloisonné enamel on gold, with counter enamel, No. 14-4112 by Marguerite Koch, ordered from Stern Freres based on designs from 1949, representing North and South America, Greenland, the points of the compass, applied yellow gold pyramidal indexes and Arabic quarter-hour numerals. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 28.5-21, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator, buffered rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Dial marked by the artist on the reverse, under the counter enamel. Diam. 33 mm. Thickness 11 mm.


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

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-29-01

Good

Lacking elements

HANDS Original

Notes

In the Stern Freres archive ledgers under No. 14 (the number engraved on the back of the dial) it appears that two similar dials were made for Tissot (but with different numerals), each one remaining unique. It is recorded that this dial was made by Mlle Marguerite Koch, and that she was paid 75 Francs for it. The dial was sold to Tissot for 158 Francs.
Marguerite Koch An enameller specializing in the cloisonné technique, she was one of Stern Frères' favorite artists. She made caravelle and coat-of-arms dials for Rolex and Vacheron Constantin, as well as the famous exotic Gauguin dials for Patek Philippe. She worked for Stern from the late 40?s to the 1960?s.