Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Dec 02, 2003

LOT 267

The Earl of ButeJ. Aitchison, Watchmaker by Special Appointment to H.I.M. the Emperor of Austria and H.I.M. the Emperor of Brazil, 23 Prince?sSt., Edinburgh, London hallmarks 1876-77. Made for the Earl of Bute.Very fine, hunting-cased, free-sprung, keyless,18K gold and painted on enamel watch with 30-hour power reserve indicator.

USD 1,500 - 2,000

EUR 1,300 - 1,700

C. five-body, "bassine" with stepped bezels, the front painted on enamel with initials "JS" (J. Stuart) on a green ground with white enamelborder, back painted on enamel with a crest depicting a half rampant lion and the motto "Avito Viret Honore" (He flourishes on the honorsof his ancestors), gold hinged cuvette. D. white enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, up-and-down indicator at 3 o?clock,subsidiary sunk seconds at 9 o?clock. Blued steel "Spade" hands. M. 43 mm, half-plate, gilt brass, fusee with Harrison?s maintainingpower and chain, lateral counterpoised lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with free-sprung Breguet balancespring, diamond endstone, unusual pin-set setting. Dial and movement signed.Diam. 52 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3- 6

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

HANDS Original

Notes

The Earls of Bute were important Scottish aristocracy, of whom the most famous was probably John Stuart, the third Earl of Bute (1713n92) who became George III Prime Minister.