Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 394

The Patriarchal Cross J. Cusin, Nevers, circa 1640. Very rare and fine silver single-hand, pre balance spring form watch with concealed dial, in the shape of a cross.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 42,000 - 55,000 / USD 36,000 - 48,000

Sold: CHF 80,500

C. Three-body, ?fermée? type, both hinged covers engraved on the outside in a foliate and geometrical pattern with rosettes in the center, on the inside with a bleeding heart, representing Jesus Christ?s suffering for the sins of mankind, an abbreviation of the name of Jesus, band engraved with foliate pattern, small pendant, loose ring. D. Gilt brass radial Roman chapter ring with half-hour divisions applied to silver dial plate, the center engraved with a village church, the leg with Christ and the Instruments of the Passion, the head with a mask, the arms with wild strawberries. Gilt ?tulip? hand. M. Cross-shaped, 29 x 38 mm., gilt brass full plate with vase pillars, fusee and cat-gut, short three-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, verge escapement, circular gilt brass three-arm foliot, small pinned irregularly pierced and engraved cock, click and wheel mainspring set-up. Signed on the movement. Dim. 53 x 33 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-14

Good

Damaged
Movement: 3-12*

Good

Worn

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

An elaborate cruciform watch made by Abraham Cusin, the best known of the family, was sold by Antiquorum in the Sandberg Watch Collection on March 31 and April 1, 2001, lot 218. The Cusins were a family of French watchmakers whose ancestor, Charles, had emigrated from Autun to Geneva, and is considered responsible for introducing watchmaking to that city. He had a relative called Noël, possibly his brother, who was considered one of the most important watchmakers in the city. One of his descendants, Abraham Cusin, settled in Nevers (approximately halfway between Paris and Geneva). He is referred to in the Nevers registers for 1593 and is often mentioned in the Nevers archives, specifically with regard to payments for his clocks and watches, for which he was highly praised. He was also in charge of maintaining the town's tower clock. However, there are also notes of problems relating to his faith as a Protestant. It appears that he often encountered difficulties with the Catholic inhabitants of the city. His successor in the business returned to the old faith, making a public abjuration before the bishop. There was another Abraham Cusin, also a Protestant, who worked in Corbigny in the Autun diocese. A deed dated August 23, 1651, mentions him as a Master horologist, and he is often recorded in the Protestant church records of Corbigny, up until 1682. Bibliography: "Mémoires de la Société éduenne des lettres, sciences et arts", Autun, Vol. 16, Autumn 1888. "Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois" by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.