Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 257

L' Union est le Soutient de L'Etat Neuchâtel area, made between 1789-93. Very fine, rare and important silver center seconds early Revolutionary watch with fly-back retrograde date and painted on enamel dial.

CHF 5,500 - 7,500

EUR 3,600 - 5,000

Sold: CHF 10,350

C. Three-body, engine-turned, reeded band, polished bezels.D. White enamel, small eccentric chapter with Breguet numerals and blued steel Breguet hands set in the lower part, the top with 31-day sector, each end terminating in a gilt tassel, the date indicated by a ?serpentine arrowhead? hand, the wholesurmounted by polychrome flower garlands, center finely painted with Revolutionary symbols with the motto ?L'Union est le Soutient de L'etat? (Union is the foundation of the State.M. 45.1 mm (20''', hinged, frosted gilt full plate with pentagonal baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock.Diam. 52 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 14
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Revolutionary watches with complications are very rare. The vast majority of them consisted of simple time, which after 1793 changed the display for the decimal system. This watch is from before this period. After the French Revolution a new digital calendar was adopted and the entire time measurement system was changed. Thus, a revolutionary watch with 31-day calendar must date from before the change. During the revolution period watches with gold cases practically did not exist in France, since the use of precious metals went against the egalitarian philosophy of the Revolution..