Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 229

A. Golay-Leresche & Fils, Genève, No. 16946, circa 1890. Very fine 18K gold hunting-cased keyless astronomical minute-repeating watch with perpetual calendar, phases of the moon, chronograph, and especially finished non-magnetic escapement in original fitted box.

CHF 18,000 - 22,000

EUR 12,000 - 14,700 / USD 14,000 - 17,000

Sold: CHF 24,150

C. Six-body, "bassine et filets", polished with monogrammed front, gold hinged cuvette over glazed gold bezel for viewing the movement. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outermost chronograph track divided into fifths, four subsidiary sunk dials for days of the week, date, months of the four year leap cycle and subsidiary seconds concentric with phases of the moon aperture. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 40 mm., (18'''), nickel, "fausses côtes" decoration, 35 jewels, staight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with platinum and gold screws, Palladium Breguet balance spring, unusual micrometric regulator, gold or beryllium bronze pallet fork and roller table, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band.Signed on dial and movement.Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Complicated watches with non-magnetic escapement are rare. This one also features a rare conical screw micrometric regulator. Golay-Leresche Was founded in 1837 and very quickly became one of Geneva's leading horological companies. One of its founding members was Henri Golay, who in 1859 invented a mechanism for striking grande sonnerie watches with minute-repeating. When Henri Ekegrén came to Geneva in 1847 he began his career with Golay-Leresche, where he worked until 1857. The company won a Silver Medal at the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition, along with many other prizes. It was located Quai des Bergues, 31, next to the Hotel de Bergues. In 1857, the firm passed into the hands of the founder's son, who made complicated watches for both men and women and began exporting the firm's creations, primarily to the United States. At the beginning of the 20th century, the company was sold to Stahl, hence the current name of Golay Fils & Stahl. The firm continued to enjoy an important clientele worldwide, including the King of Romania and the Maharajah of Barodah. In 1962, Jacques Wolfgang, the father of current owner Jesse Wolf ang, bought the company. As a jeweler and specialist in diamonds and colored stones, he brought a new style to the house's creations.