Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces
Hong Kong, Oct 23, 2011
LOT 376
THE EVENING John Kenebel, Frith Street, Soho, London, No. 1455, enamel painting possibly by Lissignol, circa 1800. Magnificent and rare, large, oval-shaped, 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set, centre-seconds watch, made for the Oriental market.
HKD 700,000 - 900,000
USD 90,000 - 115,000 / EUR 65,000 - 85,000
Sold: HKD 2,120,000
C. Three-body, with an enamel scene which has been painted in an unusual and distinctive palette after an engraving by A. Conte of the painting 'Evening' by William Hamilton R.A. (1751-1801). The spring-loaded back cover with scallop-formed inside edge, which is also decorated with foliage in translucent green, red and blue champlevé enamels. The inner edge of the front part, formed in the same manner, is similarly decorated. The bezel and scallop-edged band set with pearls on translucent, darklue enamel ground, enamelled pendant, bow set with pearls, gold engine-turned and engraved cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. Oval, white enamel, circular chapter ring with Roman chapters, outer minute and fi fth second divisions, 15-minute/second Arabic numerals, the top and bottom borders decorated with very fi nely painted roses and foliage. Gold "heart" hands. M. Oval, 42 x 53.5 mm, gilt brass bridge calibre, 10 jewels, going barrel, lateral lever escapement with club-tooth steel escape wheel, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued-steel Breguet balance spring. Signed on the movement, inside back cover stamped with casemaker's mark "GR". Dim. 96 x 60 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3-24 |
Good Slightly chipped |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
John Kenebel is not recorded, but may well have been a trader who had connections in the Orient. The movement has features similar to watches signed Jaquet-Droz and was made, with the case and dial, in Switzerland. William Hamilton painted a sequence of paintings, depicting the four parts of the day. This watch is superbly executed and decorated. It is among the best examples made for the Oriental market. Due to the artistic value of the object, a later owner, during the second half of the 19th century, must have decided to improve the timekeeping of the watch by changing the original lever escapement to a more advanced type, so well executed as to leave no visible signs of the conversion.
Jean Abraham Lissignol One of the fi nest enamelers of his time, was born in Geneva on May 1749, died in Plainpalais on June 28, 1819. He was the pupil of Jean-Marc Roux and later became his partner. Specialised in snuff-boxes and watch cases, he worked for Jaquet Droz and Leschot, the Rochat Brothers and John Rich. In the Lord Sandberg collection prior to 2001, a very similar watch is in the collection of Patek Philippe Museum.