Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 17, 2013

LOT 509

JOHN BITTLESTON - QUARTER STRIKING COACH WATCH WITH CALENDAR & DIABLOTINE John Bittleston, London No. 1691. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1785. Very fine and rare, large, gilded brass, two-train, quarterstriking, center-seconds, pair-cased coach watch with fifth of a second jumping hand, day of the week calendar and lunar calendar. Accompanied by a fitted morocco box.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

USD 22,000 - 33,000 / EUR 16,000 - 24,000

Sold: CHF 20,000

C. Outer: two-body, the bezel and back pierced and engraved with floral decoration and central flower spay. Inner: two-body, ?bassine?, pierced and engraved with flowers and foliage around the band, the back with engraved flower spray. D. Eccentric, white enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer Arabic minutes, center-seconds with outer seconds ring with Arabic five-seconds numerals, two subsidiary dials for lunar calendar with moon?s age indication and days of the week, small subsidiary fifth-second jumping hand. Gold beetle and poker hands. M. Fire-gilded, full-plate, fully foliate engraved, English gilded cock finely pierced and engraved with foliage and a mask, fuse and chain for both trains, cylinder escapement, plain steel balance, flat balance spring, large diamond endstone, rack and pinion regulator with silvered dial, striking with two hammers on a bell in the back of the case, strike/silent lever protruding from the bezel. Movement signed. DIAM. 108 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-71-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

HANDS Original

Notes

Quarter-striking coach watches are very rare. This example was made for the Chinese market and has jumping fifths of seconds, or ?diablotine?. Another coach watch by John Bittleston was sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, March 27, 2011, lot 174.