Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces.

Geneva, Nov 13, 2010

LOT 84

Le Roy & Fils Pietra Dura Style Le Roy & Fils, H.gers de la Marine, Palais-Royal, 13 & 15 Galerie Montpensier, Paris & 296 Regent Street, London, No. 38775. Made circa 1860. Fine and very rare, 18K gold, enamel painted in imitation of pietra dura, rose-cut ruby and diamond-set lady?s pendant watch.

CHF 3,000 - 5,700

USD 3,000 - 5,700 / EUR 2,200 - 4,200

Sold: CHF 3,375

c. Four-body, bassine, polished, the back cover enameled in imitation of jasper with gold foliate outlining and quartered by rose-cut rubies and diamonds. Hinged gold cuvette. d. Deorated with champleve enamel on gold in imitation of pietra dura, the background imitating jasper, gold radial Roman numerals on white cartouches, outer white minute track with gold minute divisions. Pierced gold hands. m. 12???, matte gilt, bar caliber, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, three-arm gilt balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Cuvette signed. Diam. 31 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3-9

Good

Scratched

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The case and dial decoration of the present watch successfully imitates the rare and very expensive ?boîtes à incrustations? cases made for Breguet by the jeweller Jean-Baptiste Fossin in the early 19th century. So convincing is the trompe l?oeil effect of the dial that it only becomes apparent after very close inspection that it is enamelled rather than being made of inlaid hardstones.