Important collector's watches, wristw...
Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002
LOT 292
The Mystérieuse A.S. & F. (Armand Schwob & Frères, La Chaux-de-Fonds), Swiss, Breveté S.G.D.G., circa 1890. Rare and fine silver, keyless mystery watch.
CHF 2,000 - 3,000
EUR 1,400 - 2,000 / USD 1,200 - 1,800
Sold: CHF 2,875
C. Three-body, ?bassine et filets?, polished, glazed on both faces. D. Eccentric glass with gilt Arabic numerals and outer black chapter minute ring with gilt Arabic numerals. Gold ?spade? hands. Engine-turned dial plate with foliage decoration 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: A |
Good |
Case: 4 |
Fair |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
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.