Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 62

Map of France. Swiss, made for the French market, circa 1820. Fine 18K gold and painted on enamel quarter-repeating watch with a map of France and visible repeating works.

CHF 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,500 - 9,800

Sold: CHF 17,250

C. Four-body, "Empire", back with a green and white champlevé enamel map of France, bezels and band with green champlevé enamel in a repeated pattern, gold repeater blocking bolt at 1 o'clock, gilt hinged cuvette. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track. Gilt spade hands. M. 49 mm., frosted gilt, three-quarter plate, cylinder escapement, three-arm gold balance with flat balance spring, repeater works set on the back plate, repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 8 - 22
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Enameled maps are rare. Breguet made a few; several others are known to have been made for the Oriental market. The making of them was a painstaking job. First an engraver had to chisel out the gold, leaving the names of towns and rivers, etc. Then the enamelist filled in the reserved space with enamels, leaving the outlines and place names in gold.