Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 101

Roman Charity. Gaudron A Paris, circa 1700, enamel attributed to Jean André I. Very fine silver and painted on enamel single-hand oignon watch.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

EUR 4,600 - 5,900

Sold: CHF 8,050

C. Two-body, oignon type, polished, pronounced square hinge, back having a finely painted on enamel scene depicting “Roman Charity”, the inside painted with a castle in the foreground and mountains in the background.D. White enamel with bold blue radial Roman numerals on raised cartouches, inner half-hour markers, painted rosette in the center. Steel “arrow” hand. M. 47 mm, hinged, gilt full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain with gilt and engraved brass safety plate, verge escapement, 3-arm steel balance with flat balance spring, large cock, pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, wound through the center of the movement.Signed on the movement.Diam. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 4 - 28
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-14-20-05

Fair

Damaged

Period original

HANDS Luminous material reapplied

Notes

Roman Charity.Cimon, an old man who was imprisoned in Rome, had not been given food for a long time. His daughter Pero, heart-broken upon seeing her father so ill-treated, offered him her breast for nourishment. Pierre Gaudron (d.1745)Recorded as having worked in the Faubourg St Germain in 1695. He became a watchmaker to the regent, the Duke of Orleans. Thiout in his famous book on watchmaking, describes Gaudron's inventions. Jean I André (1646 - 1717) A goldsmith and painter on enamel, he was apprenticed in 1661 to Pierre Huaud I, François Légaré and Pierre Royaume, who were associates. He became Master in 1675 and specialized in the decoration of watch cases. André taught several apprentices, among them François Diodati in 1680 and François Lombard from 1687 to 1692. He asked the Conseil for permission to open a school along with his son David in 1704. André signed: Jean André pinxit; Jean André fecit, Jean André."Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois" by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.