Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 363

The NativityMartinot à Paris. enamel by André Mussard, dated 1716.Very rare and fine painted on enamel over gilt brass, single-hand, center-wound watch with mock pendulum oignon watch.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

EUR 7,000 - 8,300 / USD 7,500 - 9,000

Sold: CHF 11,155

C.Two-body, oignon type, back very finely painted with the Holy Family in the stable after a painting by Rubens, the bezels with continuous rural landscapes, the top one with a bird hunter and a lakeside village, the lower with a lake, a traveler, ruins, and fishermen. D. Gilt brass with white enamel cartouches for Roman numerals, inner enamel half-hour track, center chased with birds and scrolling. Blued steel "fleur-de-lis" hand. M. 47 mm. (21'''), hinged, gilt full plate, Egyptian pillars,usee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance with flat balance spring, large oignon type cock chased with animal masks and scrolling, aperture for the mock pendulum.Signed on the movement, painter's signature and date "André Mussard Pinxit 1716" on the lower bezel at 8 o'clock.Diam. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 45
Movement: 3*
Dial: 3 - 13 - 01

Notes

MartinotA very famous French watchmaking dynasty of the 17th and 18th century, the most famous of whom was perhaps Balthazar l'aîné. The son of Balthazar, also a watchmaker, he is recorded in Paris, rue de la Calandre, from 1683 to 1697, then Quai des Orfèvres, "A la belle image", in 1697, and died at Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1716. Balthazar's brothers, all watchmakers, were Claude, Etienne, and Gilles.André MussardWas born in Geneva. He might be a brother of the famous Jean Mussard V. In 1740 we find André in La Haye (Hague) where he stayed until 1758. The Bath Museum had a portrait by him signed Andreas Mussard anno 1751