Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 492

The Butterfly Bovet, London, No. 321, made for the Chinese market, circa 1828. Very fine and rare, 18K gold and enamel, center seconds watch with special escapement.

C. two-body, back cover with a finely painted enamel of butterfly and a bee on a Chinese rose, bezels decorated in red and pink enamel, spring-loaded gold cuvette hinged to the movement ring, pendant and bow decorated en suite. D. white enamel, radial Roman chapters, outer minute and quarter second divisions, fifteen minute Arabic numerals. Blued steel ?spade? hands. M. 47 mm (20''', blued and bright steel ?Chinese? caliber, free-standing barrel, 7 jewels, ruby duplex escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, blued-steel balance spring.Signed on the movement, case stamped with prestige London marks.Diam. 59 mm.