Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

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

LOT 416

The DilemmaIlbery, London, No. 6338, circa 1825, made for the Chinese market.Very fine 18K gold and enamel watch with a special escapement andcenter-seconds.

C. Outer: two-body, the spring-loaded back painted with a scene, probably after a contemporary English engraving, of a young girl standing by two seated boys holding a pair of small doves. She is faced with a dilemma, for the boys are in love with her and demand that she choose one of the doves, and therefore, one of them. Surrounding the oval, a painted on enamel medallion, a green translucent enamel ring over engine-turning, then black, red, and finally blue guilloché enamel rings. The bezels,pendant and bow similarly decorated, gold hinged spring-loaded cuvette. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions and fifth second points. Gold "heart" hands. M. 50 mm. ø, gilt brass fully engraved "Chinese" caliber, free-standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, uncut three-arm bimetallic balance with three square weights and three screws, diamond endstone.Signed on the movement.Diam. 60 mm.