Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 489

Explorer's Watch Swiss, circa 1800, made for the French market. Very fine and rare 18K gold, four time zone, two-face watch with date, visible balance, and compass.

C. two-body, glazed on both sides, chased and engraved bezels. D. white enamel, four small time zone sub-dials, at 2 o'clock, in Islamic numerals, the words ?Le Caire?, at 4 o'clock, in Breguet numerals, ?Paris?, at 8 o'clock, in Roman numerals, ?Pondicheri?, and at 10 o'clock, in Arabic numerals, ?Cayenne?, subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock and date with regulating sector at 12 o'clock. Center with aperture for the balance. Elaborate gold pierced hands. Reverse with enamel dial painted with a caravelle on a sunny day, the top marked ?Septent?, the bottom ?Midi?, the right side ?Orient?, and the left side ?Occident?. Loosely mounted revolving magnetized arrow hand.M. 52 mm. (23''', frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock.Diam. 60 mm.