Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

The Ritz-carlton Hotel, Hong-kong, Jun 08, 2002

LOT 381

Hausmann & Co, Roma, Napoli, movement made by Cézar Racine from Le Locle, sold to Prince Urbano Sacchetti circa 1900.Very fine and important 18K gold hunting-cased, keyless, double train, Grande Sonnerie carillon clock watch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and minute repeating in original burr walnutfitted box.

HKD 230,000 - 310,000

EUR 33,000 - 45,000 / USD 30,000 - 40,000

Sold: HKD 414,000

C. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", polished, gold hinged cuvette over glazed gold bezel for viewing the movement.D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, subsidiary dials for the days of the week, the months of the leap-year cycle, the date and the seconds with inner moon phase aperture. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 46 mm. (20'''), frosted and gilt, double train with differential winding, 32 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring, striking and repeating on three gongs with three hammers, Strike/Silence optional leveron the bezel border. Repeating on gongs with push piece in the band.Signed on the cuvette by the retailer, Racine's patent number punched on the movement.Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Clock watches with carillons are very rare. On February 6, 1899, Cézar Racine filed for a patent improving Grande Sonnerie watches. It was quite successful and number of companies took advantage of it. Zenith, in particular, was known to employ Racine's movement and apparently also Hausmann. From the Hausmann archives we know that the watch was sold to Prince Urbano Sacchetti. The Sacchetti family goes back many centuries. In the early 14th century, the Sacchetti family was considered one of themost powerful of Florence, as confirmed by Dante's verses in the Paradiso, Canto XVI, v. 103-5"grande era già la colonna del Vaio, Sacchetti, Giuochi, Fifanti e Barucci, e Galli, e quei che arrossan per lo staio."Prince Urbano Sacchetti was related to an old noble family of Tuscan extraction, the Barberinis, who settled in Florence during the 11th century. In 1623 Maffeo Barberini became Pope Urban VIII. He made two nephews cardinals, and gave the principality of Palestrina to a third nephew, Taddeo. Taddeo's daughter Cornelia married Prince Giulio Cesare Colonna di Sciarra in 1728, who added her name to his own. On the death of Prince Enrico Barberini-Colonna the name went to his daughter and heiress, Dnna Maria Principessa di Palestrina (1872-1955), who married Marquis Luigi Sacchetti, (1863- 1936). He received the title of Prince of Palestrina and permission to bear the name of Barberini. The fine Barberini palace and library in Rome give evidence of their wealth and magnificence. Prince Urbano Sacchetti was very likelytheir son.