Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, May 08, 2010

LOT 441

Russian Wooden Watch Russian. Made circa 1820. Very fine and very rare, karelian birch pocket watch with wooden movement.

CHF 12,000 - 17,000

USD 11,000 - 16,000 / EUR 8,000 - 12,000

C. Two-body, bassine, polished karelian birch, turned bezel, steel hinge, pendant and bow, the back with a central gold disc. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions and Arabic fifteen minute numerals, winding aperture at 3. Pierced brass hands. M. 43 mm., wood, full plate, turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, three-arm balance, pierced continental balance cock, regulation dial with scalloped edge. Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-24

Good

Slightly chipped
Movement: 3**

Good

Repair required, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-24-01

Good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Notes

The movement of this watch is copied in wood from a type made in western Europe during the second half of the 18th century until the early 19th century. Watches made of birchwood are usually made by the Bronnikov family of watchmakers working in Vjatka, Russia. However, the watches made by Bronnikov are quite distinctive; the movements are usually made of wood and bone and the reverse of the dial forms the front plate for the wheel-train. The present watch is likely to predate those of Bronnikov and the dial is made as a separate piece.