Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 438

William Metford, Genève, No. 3701, circa 1880.Fine and very rare 18K gold and enamel, hunting-cased keyless minute-repeating watch with date, days of the week and unusual 24-hour sub-dial.

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets" with concave bezels, polished with translucent dark blue champlevé enamel initials in front, gold glazed cuvette. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, four subsidiary sunk dials for days of the week, date, and for 24-hour provision calibrated twice from 1 to 12, day hours in red, night hours in black, subsidiary sunk seconds. M. 40 mm. (18'''), nickel, "fausses côtes" decoration, 31 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bmetallic compensation balance with Breguet balance spring, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band. Signed on the dial, company's trademark on the case. Diam. 51 mm.