Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 162

Unsigned, Paris discharge marks of Jean Baptiste Fouache for 1774-80. Fine and rare gold, enamel, and gilt brass sealing-wax case, set with semi-precious stones, with a watch and concealed erotic enameled scene.

C. Gilded metal sheath with floral and foliate decoration in relief, two sides with applied silver decoration set with multicolored stones, hinged two-body vari-colored gold top houses the watch, the back of which has a painted enamel portrait of a lady. The bottom of the sheath has a dendritic agate on one side and a painted enamel medallion with a portrait of a lady within a frame of ruby-colored stones on the other. The medallion can be rotated revealing a potentially incandescent scene betwen the lady and a gentleman. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute divisions, five-minute Arabic numerals. Gold "Louis XVI" hands. M. Oval, 21.5 x 18 mm., built on three levels, brass, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance with flat spring, mounted between the third and fourth plate.Dim. Length 145 mm., width 20 mm.Published in the Sandberg book, page 382-383.