Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

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

LOT 413

Perseus and AndromedaNicolas Forfaict, Paris, circa 1630Fine and rare silver and brass octa-gonal pre-balance spring single hand watch.

HKD 117,000 - 140,000

EUR 17,000 - 20,000 / USD 15,000 - 18,000

Sold: HKD 138,000

C. Three-body, "fermée", front cover engraved with the three graces, the top engraved with the rapt of Europe, eight facets engraved with Hercules, a Nymph, a burning heart and scrolling, the back with Perseus coming to the rescue of Andromeda, who is chained to a rock, a sea monster emerging from the water, eight facets engraved with classical warriors, a winged cherub's head, scrolling, the band silver over gilt brass engraved with winged Cherub's heads and scrolling. D. Silver ring with Romannumerals applied to a gilt bronze octagonal plate engraved with Leda and the Swan at the top, a winged cherub's head at the bottom center with a rural scene, sides with scrolling. Single steel "fleur-de-lis" hand. M. Octagonal, 39.5 x 27 mm., full plate, turned baluster pillars, fusee and cat-gut, short three-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, verge escapement, circular steel foliot, flat balance spring.Signed on the movement.Dim. 52 x 30 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 15 - 21
Movement: 4 - 22
Dial: 3 - 6 - 14 - 01

Notes

ForfaictA French horological family who go back to the first half of the 16 century. Nicolas, born in 1576, was the son of Nicolas, master watchmaker, who himself became a master in 1606. Beginning in 1909 he was elected several times to serve in the Guild of Paris Clockmakers. In the British Museum there is a very similar octagonal watch by him, which was presented to John Knox by Mary, Queen of Scots. Another one in an oval case, previously in the Morgan Collection, is now preserved in The MetropolitaMuseum of Art.