Important collector's watches, wristw...
Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002
LOT 289
The Mystérieuse A.S. & F. (Armand Schwob & Frères, La Chaux-de-Fonds), Swiss, circa 1890. Rare and fine silver, keyless mystery watch.
CHF 3,500 - 4,500
EUR 2,400 - 3,000 / USD 2,100 - 2,700
Sold: CHF 7,475
C. Three-body, ?bassine et filets?, polished, glazed on both faces. D. Eccentric glass with silver Arabic numerals and outer silver minute ring. Polished steel ?spade? hands. Engine-turned dial plate. M. Gilt brass, crescent-shaped, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Signed on the dial plate. Diam. 54 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
Built on the principle invented by Robert-Houdin for clocks, this watch appears to work without any mechanical movement. In fact, driven by the crescent-shaped movement concealed above the dial on the border, the hands revolve along with the glass plate, set beneath the dial.
Patented by Armand Schwob & Frère à Paris on 24 January 1889, such watches were very popular towards the end of the 19th century.