Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 25

The Salamander Unsigned, probably C. Phelizot, Dijon, dated 1597.Very fine and very rare silver octagonal pre balance spring, single-hand watch.

CHF 150,000 - 200,000

EUR 100,000 - 135,000

Sold: CHF 163,000

C. Three-body, "Fermée", both covers with eight triangular panels, engraved with Cupids playing different musical instruments, inside covers engraved with symbols of friendship, prosperity and love; the front with a horn-of-plenty, pierced heart, an anchor, clasped hands and two pairs of initials "FF" and "II", the back with a burning heart, quivers of arrows, and two sets of initials "MD" and "PD", gilt metal band with silver ribbon engraved with rabbits, stag and hounds, below the back cover tere is a silver octagonal dust-protective cover (later called cuvette) engraved with a mountain village scene with symbols of love along the edge, gilt metal reverse engraved with coat-of-arms, small finial and loose ring pendant. D. Silver with radial Roman numerals and half hour markers, center engraved with a village scene, mounted on octagonal gilt metal dial plate engraved with symbols of love. Gold and green enamel single hand in the shape of a salamander. M. Octagonal, 28 x 28 mm., gilt bass full plate, turned baluster pillars, fusee and gut line, short three-wheel train, verge escapement, circular steel foliot, irregular pinned cock pierced and engraved with flowers and wild strawberries, ratchet wheel mainspring set-up with large pierced and engraved click matching the cock.Dated on the dust cover.Dim. 42 x 31 mm


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Provenance: Marryat Collection, Time Museum, inventory No. 2340.An important and rare watch. Its dust cover is one of the earliest known dust covers found in a watch. The enameled Salamandre hand is known to exist in a very few watches. Baillie, in his "Watches", London, 1929, knew of only three, today approximately five are known. One is in a watch signed C. Phelizot, Dijon, circa 1600, now in the Musée International d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, two in private collection, and one in the Louvre. The Phelizot watch possesses a number of characteristicsimilar to those of our watch. Another watch by Phelizot is known, with a hand in the form of a white enameled dove.The shape of the watch - a perfect octagon, is virtually unknown, at this early period, as is the hinged and engraved gilt inner cover over the movement.The symbolism of the decoration concerns love. The watch was in all probability given as an engagement or a wedding present.François I (1494 -1547)King of France from 1515 to 1547. The son of Charles d'Orléans, Count d'Angoulême and Louise de Savoie, he acceded to the throne in 1515, upon the death of Louis XII, whose daughter, Claude de France, he had married. A great patron of the arts, François I summoned to his court poets, musicians, and artists such as Leonardo da Vinci. He founded the Collège de France and the Imprimerie Nationale.His emblem, that of the Valois family, was a salamander, and his motto : " Nutrisco et extinguo " - I nourish and extinguish. The salamander is often accompanied by flames, a reference to the popular belief that the salamander could walk through fire without being harmed.The presence of the enameled salamander in this watch suggests that the watch may have been an engagement or wedding gift from a member of the royal family.