Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 46

Charles Bertrand, Horloger de l'Academie Royale des Sciences, A PARIS, No. 1471, hallmarked 1787-88. Very fine and unusual silver, gold and enamel hunting-cased watch with date.

CHF 3,000 - 4,000

EUR 1,900 - 2,600

Sold: CHF 5,750

C. Two-body, by Jean-Louis-Gabriel Gillet, both covers with translucent imperial blue enamel over sunburst engine-turning, the front with a stylized baroque gold initial "M", the back with an "A", gold trimming. D. White enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute dot divisions with fifteen-minute Arabic markers, inner 31-day Arabic date chapter. Gold "serpentine" hands with fancy tips. M. 45 mm., hinged, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement brass balance with flat balance spring, continental "star" cock.Signed on dial and movement, case punched with Paris guarantee marks.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 14 - 24 - 01

Notes

Hunting-cased watches from such an early period are rare. Bertrand, a well-known watchmaker to the French Academy of Sciences, is known for having made equation clocks and other complicated timepieces. Gillet was a master casemaker. At the time of Bertrand's death, he was owed 13,000 livres.