Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 197

The Windmill Louis Duchêne et Fils, Geneva, No. 54112, circa 1810. Fine and rare 18K gold and painted on enamel automaton watch.

CHF 9,000 - 11,000

EUR 6,000 - 7,400 / USD 7,400 - 8,500

Sold: CHF 16,100

C. Three-body, "Empire", back finely painted with a village scene, foreground with animated windmill, edge with half-pearl enamel simulation, whole under glazed hinged pearl-set bezel, champlevé enamel band with laurel-leaf wreath and gold letters "GAGE D'AMITIE". D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer gilt minute divisions, winding aperture at 11 o'clock. Gold Breguet hands. M. 42 mm., hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement brass balance wth flat balance spring, continental cock.Signed on the movement.Diam. 46 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 51 - 48
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The Duchène company specialized in high quality watches. They are known for making such pieces as the Theater, and many others. For an example see Antiquorum, April 21, 1996, lot o. 258. Louis Duchêne et Fils Watchmakers recorded circa 1791-1820, they also made coach watches with grande and petite sonnerie, calendar, minute- and quarter-repeating, and jump-hour, with date, as well as watches decorated with polychrome champlevé enamel and painted enamel. They used classic type movements, with fusee and verge escapements. The cases were of the "Empire" type, in engraved or engine-turned gold or silver. "Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, 1998.