Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 17, 2013

LOT 363

THE ART NOUVEAU BEETLE Swiss. Made circa 1900. Very fine and very rare, Art Nouveau 18K gold, platinum enamel and rose-cut diamond-set lady?s keyless pendant form-watch in the form of a beetle with concealed dial and an 18K gold, enamel and diamond-set bar brooch.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

USD 16,000 - 22,000 / EUR 12,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 22,500

C. Four-body, spring-loaded wings, translucent green enamel over engine-turning and set with rose-cut diamonds in platinum mounts, opening to reveal the dial, the neck red enameled and set with diamonds, diamond-set head, cabochon emerald eyes, hinged realistically cast and chased underside. Glazed cuvette. D. White enamel, black Arabic numerals and red 12, gilt dot outer minute track. Gilt Louis XV hands. M. 7???, gilt, bar calibre, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, three-arm gilt balance, flat balance spring, index regulator. DIAM. 48 x 20.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is an extremely fine example of the beetle or `scarab`watch in excellent condition. It is particularly interesting being in the Art Nouveau style and set with rose-cut diamonds in platinum mounts, a technique which was being pioneered by Cartier at around this time and therefore the maker of this watch was highly sophisticated and fully aware of new styles and developments in techniques in jewellery making.