Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 37

Nürnberg Egg German, circa 1580. Fine and rare oval gilt metal single-hand two-train pendant clock watch.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 17,000 - 21,000 / USD 15,000 - 18,000

C. Three-body, ?fermée? type, hinged gilt metal covers, both pierced, the front with a Gothic rosette to allow for reading of the dial, the back with an elongated geometrical pattern, smooth lobed band, swivel pendant, loose ring, small gilt finial at the bottom. D. Gilt, 12-hour radial Roman chapter with half-hour divisions, center engraved with a curved flower stem, pin-hole at 9 o?clock for setting the striking. Blued steel hand. M. Oval, 48 x 58 mm, gilt brass full plate, square baluster column pillars, short fusee and cat-gut, five-wheel train, verge escapement, two-arm circular iron balance controlled by a hog?s bristle mounted on adjustable lever moving in unusual back and front manner, small brass S-shaped cock secured by a screw, striking train with brass fixed smooth barrel, gilt count wheel on the back plate, gilt hammer striking on round shallow bell mounted inside the back cover. Dim. 90 x 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-15

Good

Slightly rusted
Movement: 3-12

Good

Worn
Dial: 3-30-05

Good

Alterations

HANDS Luminous material reapplied

Notes

The term "Nürnberg Egg" was coined in the 18th century, when it was assumed that the earliest German watches were of that shape. The assumption probably stemmed from a 1590 German translation of Rabelais? Gargantua-Pantagruel, where the word "Ueurlein" (little clock) appeared as "Eyrlein" (little egg) and from then on early oval watches were named "Nürnberg eggs". Provenance: Maryatt Collection.