The Private Collection of Theodor Beyer

Hotel Baur Au Lac, Zurich, Nov 16, 2003

LOT 11

William Partridge Fecit, London, circa 1650. Exceptionally rare and fine 22K gold and cloisonné, champlevé and painted on enamel pre-balance spring, small single hand pendant watch.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 39,000 - 52,000 / USD 44,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 62,100

C. Two-body, "bassine" with curved in edge, entirely decorated with translucent enamel flowers on white enamel background in the cloisonné technique, light green counter-enamel, tulip pendant, small finial. D. Matching the case, with stylized flowers in translucent enamel against opaque white enamel background, radial Roman hour chapter on gold flinqué ring with half-hour dots. Iron tulip hand. M. 24 mm, gilt brass, full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee and cat-gut, short train with 5-leaf pinions, circular iron foliot, irregular gilt cock pierced and engraved with wild strawberries secured by a screw, ratchet wheel mainspring set-up.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 29.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 -22

Later original
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

Damaged

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Notes

This is a very rare example of an early British enamel watch, made by an excellent Royal watchmaker.The technique of enamel was dominated by the French. At least one of the Blois enamelists moved to England, but generally, the art of enamel in England developed independently, and therefore had its own particular characteristics. Few similar cases with French movements are known: the Louvre Museum has a spectacular watch by J. Jolly of Paris (inv. OA 7032); others are in the Patek Philippe Museum, the Walters Museum, etc. Such English watches, however, are extremely rare. William Partridge. He became a Brother in the Clockmakers' Company in September 1640. In 1645 he "attended the King when in Oxford"; in other words he was a clockmaker to King Charles II. In October 1649 he became a Freeman. For a time he worked in the shop of the famous Edward East. He died or retired around 1662. Cloisonnné enamels.The technique called cloisonné is characterized by a pattern of colored enamel separated by metallic laminae which form the outlines of the design. The techniques of cloisonné and champlevé can be used together; this is called "émaux mixtes". From "A Brief History of Enameling, Part I", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Vox, Summer 2002.