Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 5

By the Altar of Love Francois Gugenmus, Horloger du Roy à Varsovie, circa 1790. Very fine and very rare 18K gold and painted on enamel watch with date.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 14,000 - 21,000 / USD 15,000 - 22,000

Sold: CHF 24,150

C. Two-body, spring-loaded back centered with an oval enamel medallion painted with a scene of a couple by the altar of love, two doves courting at the top, Cupid?s quiver with arrows on the ground, a castle in the background, paillon frame, translucent dark blue enamel over engine-turning, geometrical patterned bezels and pendant. D. White enamel, upright Arabic numerals, outer dot minute divisions, Arabic date on the outermost. Blued steel Breguet hands, gold ?serpentine? date hand. M. 53 mm., hinged, gilt Hessen full plate dustproof caliber with aperture for the balance, fixed barrel, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance with flat balance spring. Signed on dial and movement. Diam. 62,5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 21
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Franciszek Gugenmus (1740 ? 1820), The son of Johann Michael Gugenmus and his wife Marianna, in 1765 he became a Master presenting as his Masterwork a coach watch with quarter-repeating and alarm and another clock with ?minute hand and calendar?. In 1775, after the death of Daniel Schepcke, he was named watchmaker to the king. Probably the most famous of all Polish watchmakers, he was also watchmaker to the king?s brother, Duke Michal Poniatowski (the father of Piotr Pawel Maleszewski, whose wife became the companion of Breguet?s son and the mother of Louis-Clément Breguet, Abraham-Louis? famous grandson). One of the richest men in Europe, Prince Radziwill (see Antiquorum, Oct 19, 2002, note to lot No. 67), was also his client, as was princess Alexandra Lubomirska, along with many others. Gugenmus, who had quarters in the King?s palace, made many watches for the king, most of which the monarch gave as gifts. The present watch is most likely one of them. Gugenmus worked with a number of Polish goldsmiths and jewelers. He was not only an excellent horologist but also a very colorful character; at least two novelists took him as inspiration for fictional heroes. His work is represented in numerous Polish museums. Literature: Zegary Stanislawa Augusta by Zuzanna Prószynska, Warszawa, 1994 , Zegary Warszwskie XVIII i XIX wieku by Grazyna Kieniewiczowa, Warszawa, 1971.