Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 336

LEPINE, BELLE EPOQUE CRUCIFIX PENDANT WATCH Lepine, Swiss, No. 30970. Made circa 1910. Extremely fine and very elegant, heavy 18K gold, platinum, enamel and diamond-set keyless crucifix pendant watch with cruciform movement.

CHF 8,500 - 13,500

USD 9,500 - 15,000 / EUR 7,000 - 11,000

Sold: CHF 20,000

C. Two-body, cruciform, decorated on both sides with translucent red champlevé enamel over engraved lines, translucent green enamel borders, the front with an applied platinum and rose-cut diamond-set crown of thorns, the four points of the cross each set with three diamonds in platinum settings, the pendant enameled to match the case is also the winding crown. D. Matte silver with painted radial Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Matte gilt brass, cross-shaped, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring with index regulator. Dial and case signed. Dim. 62 x 48 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-10-01

Good

Patinated

HANDS Original

Notes

This very fi nely made crucifi x is cleverly enameled in translucent red of the same shade but applied skillfully in different compartments and different depths of enamel to produce lighter and darker shades within ?cells? . Although technically the champlevé technique has been used here, the fi nished effect is similar to cloisonné. The diamonds are set in platinum which is so typical of the opening years of the 20th century when the use of platinum was being pioneered by the famous jewellery houses such as Cartier. The winding of this watch is performed by rotating the pendant so that the beauty of the object is not compromised by a visible winding crown. The movement itself is also of crucifi x form and therefore specially constructed for a crucifi x watch.