Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 27, 2011

LOT 320

Etienne Cless ? Quarter Repeating Coach Watch ? Portrait of Napoleon I Etienne Cless à Geneve. Made circa 1810. Very fine and rare, quarter-repeating, silver-gilt small coach watch with a very fine Limoges enamel portrait of Napoleon I.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

USD 15,000 - 20,000 / EUR 12,000 - 15,000

Sold: CHF 25,000

C. Two-body, Empire, the bezel chased with a repeated palmette pattern, the back set with a Limoges enamel portrait of Napoleon I against a deep red ground, outer border to match the bezel. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, winding aperture at 2, foliate engraved border on the dial plate. Blued steel hands. M. 58 mm., matte gilt, full-plate, pentagonal baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, five-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, pierced and engraved foliate continental balance cock with polished steel endplate, silvered regulation dial, repeating on a bell in the back of the case activated by depressing the pendant. Dial and movement signed. Diam. 79 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-24-06

Good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Partially replaced

Notes

This watch is set with a very fine and expressive chiaroscuro portrait of Napoleon by the Limoges school of enamelers. It is very rare to find a coach watch decorated in this way and it was perhaps made as a special order.