Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jun 25, 2011

LOT 508

Droz - Half-hour Striking & Repeating Automaton Watch D. Droz dit Busset au Locle, No. 1203. Made circa 1820. Very fine and extremely rare, heavy 18k gold, two-train, hour and half-hour striking clockwatch with quarter-repeating and automaton Jacks.

HKD 180,000 - 260,000

USD 23,000 - 33,000 / EUR 17,000 - 24,000

C. Four-body, forme collier, polished bezel, engine-turned band, back cover engine-turned ?grains d?orge?, central oval cartouche engraved with initials ?L.B.G.?. Hinged gilt metal cuvette. D. Annular white enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions, the center with two finely chased vari-colored gold Jacks, one representing Chronos, appearing to strike bells with the striking and repeating, a trophy below. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 51 mm., matte gilt, two-train, standing barrels, cylinder escapement, three-arm steel balance, flat balance spring, index regulator, striking and repeating on gongs activated by a trip button in the pendant. Strike/not strike and locking for the repeating in the band. Dial and cuvette signed. Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is exceptionally rare, being a striking clockwatch with repeating and automaton Jacks. It is of a much higher specification than most watches with automaton Jacks, the case is of heavy gauge gold and the trip repeating rather than depressing the pendant fully is a sophisticated feature. The movement has a separate train for the striking and repeating, which is highly unusual.