Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 516

Louis Audemars, Brassus, No. 11831 circa 1875. Very fine and historically interesting 18K gold, hunting-cased, keyless astronomical minute-repeating watch with perpetual calendar, age and phases of the moon in the origional mahogany fitted box, with spare crystal and main spring as well as letters and invoices, some signed by Louis Audemars.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 39,000 - 52,000

Sold: CHF 69,000

C. five-body, "bassine et filets", engine turned, hinged gold cuvette. D. white enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, four subsidiary sunk dials for days of the week, date, months of the four year leapcycle and subsidiary seconds concentric with phases of the moon aperture. Blued steel "spade" hands.M. 43 mm. (19''', rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 31 jewels, calibrated straight line leverescapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with Breguet balance spring, repeating on gongs throughactivating slide in the band.Dial case and movement signed.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 15
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 13 - 01

Notes

It is exceptional to find a watch of this period in its original fitted box with certificate, spare spring and crystal, and in addition, the company's advertising card of the time..The watch is also accompanied by: a receipt for servicing, dated 22 Aug 1898, along with a letter detailing the work performed and explaining the proper use and care of the watch, both signed by Louis Audemars; a letter dated 29 October 1933 signed by Henri Audemars saying that his father had died earlier that year and that the watch could in future be delivered for servicing to Albert Audemars in Paris; a 5 year guarantee from Edwards & Co. in London dated Oct 19th 1935; and a short note and calling card from Jean Louis Roehrich.