Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Oct 23, 2011

LOT 240

PREVOST FRERES, ?THE SERPENTS? Prevost Freres, à Paris, No. 379. Made circa 1820. Very fine and rare, 18K gold, champlevé enamel and gem-set bracelet watch with concealed dial and integral 18K gold and champlevé enamel bracelet, the links in the form of serpents, each set with a colored gemstone, gold safety chain and gold and enamel key.

C. Two-body, oval, the border in the form of two entwined snakes decorated with black and white champlevé enamel circles and squares, the head of one set with a cabochon ruby, the other with a cabochon turquoise, both with ruby-set eyes, hinged cover over the dial decorated with gold foliate scrolls, white champleve enamel fl owerheads and a black enamel ground, six link bracelet, each link designed as a snake decorated with champleve enamel to match the case, the head of each set with a gemstone and with gem-set eyes. D. Silver, polished chapter ring with radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, engine-turned center. Blued steel ?Breguet? hands. M. 31 mm., frosted gilt, demi-lune-shaped plates, cylinder escapement, three-arm balance, blues steel fl at balance spring, index regulator. Movement signed. Dim. 63 x 170 mm.