Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 155

Just & Son,London, No. 3461, made for the Russian market, circa 1840.Very fine 18K gold and painted on enamel center seconds watch.

CHF 28,000 - 33,000

EUR 19,000 - 22,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. Two-body, forme "collier", back finely painted on enamel with bouquet of flowers on translucent dark blue enamel over engine-turning, translucent scarlet border with gold scrolling, pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow, gilt cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute/seconds track with fifteen-minute Arabic markers. Gold "spoon" hands. M. 44 mm. (19 1/2'''), gilt brass, typical "Chinese" caliber with standing barrel, 13 jewels, lateral counterpoisedlever escapement with the lift on the pallets, plain steel three-arm balance with blued steel flat balance spring.Signed on the movement, cuvette punched with Cyrillic characters.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 47
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The so-called "Chinese watches" were made predominnatly for the Chinese market according to the Chinese taste. During the 18th and 19th centuries watches and clocks were the most sought-after European products in China. They were always included among the gifts to the Chinese Emperors, and many were purchased by the Emperor and the upper classes.The Russian market was almost as important as the Chinese one at the time. The Russians were great lovers of decorative watches, which they purchased mainly from Swiss manufactories. For complicated watches, they turned to French companies such as Breguet and Le Roy. The predominance of the French in the domain of complicated watches for Russia lasted until the second half of the 19th century, when firms such as Moser, Grandjean, and others, imposed their high-quality products.The Russian taste for rich decoration prompted Swiss makers to produce for this market sumptuously decorated pieces, adorned with enamel and pearls, in a style which resembled that of "Chinese" watches.