Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 246

Louis Audemars, Brassus & Geneva, No. 1049, circa 1890. Very fine and very rare 18K gold, hunting-cased, astronomical, minute-repeating watch with perpetual calendar, phases and age of the moon and special patented split-seconds chronograph in original mahogany fitted box, accompanied by original certificate and spare crystal.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

EUR 20,000 - 27,000 / USD 23,000 - 31,000

Sold: CHF 62,100

C. Six-body, "bassine et filets", polished, gold hinged cuvette over glazed gold bezel for viewing the movement.D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outermost seconds divided into fifths, five-minute/seconds Arabic markers, 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. 43 mm. (19'''), frosted gilt, 35 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with Breguet balance spring, chronograph activated by patented vertical coupling via pushbutton to the right of the pendant, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band.Signed on dial, case, movement and box.Diam. 55 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

A superbly finished triple-complicated watch with a special split-seconds chronograph system patented by Charles H. Audemars US patent o. 253338 of February 7, 1882, filed on June 23, 1891. The system, which is difficult to produce, is very reliable and features a special clutch coupling wheel, assuring faster and more reliable starting. In addition, very few Louis Audemars watches are known with original box and original certificate. For a biography of Louis Audemars, see lot 224.