Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 169

The Temptation Gille de Beefe a Liège, circa 1730. Very fine and unusual double-sided gilt metal and enamel Adam and Eve animated watch.

C. Two-body, glazed on both sides, polished bezels. On the back, framed by an engraved gilt band, there is a circular enamel plaque with a painted scene depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by animals, with the Tree of Knowledge in the center. The silver snake revolves around the enameled scene, pursuing and tempting Adam and Eve, and making one revolution of the dial per hour. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring with five minute Arabic numerals. Aperture forhe regulator at 6 o'clock. Gold "poker and beetle" hands. M. 39.2 mm. ø, hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, square at the bottom and circular at the top, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm balance with flat balance spring, mounted under the dial plate, plain bar-type double-footed cock, motion train driven directly from the fusee arbor. The snake is mounted on a gear driven by the main train.Signed on the frame of the painting.Diam. 50 mm.Published in the Sandberg book, pp. 132-133.