Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 121

Ioh(an) I(sa)ac Serner, Lübeck, circa 1710. Very fine and rare silver and shagreen over brass, pair-cased, wandering hour watch with two Genevan painted on enamel miniatures, probably by the frères Huaud.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 12,600 - 19 / USD 15,600 - 23,500

Sold: CHF 43,700

C. Outer (associated): two-body, "bassine", brass, covered with shagreen and gilt studs. Inner: two-body, "bassine" with deep back.D. Silver, radial Roman champlevé wandering hour numerals appear in the circular window of a gilt engraved segment set at the top, surmounted by a silver Arabic minute sector. The wandering hour aperture also indicates the minutes, below, Arabic quarter-hour segment. The lower half, with an applied enamel portrait miniature, probably of Frederick I of Prussia (1657-1713) surrounded by military trophies.M. 43 mm. (19???), hinged, gilt full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance with flat balance spring, single-footed cock decorated with miniature portrait of a lady painted on enamel.Signed on the movement.Diam. 58 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-10-21-28

Good

Patinated

Period

Replacements
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3

Good

Notes

Watches with wandering hour dials first appeared in the 17th century. In England, they were often commissioned by the King, to be presented to visitors or in recognition of loyalty to the country. During the same period, the wandering hour system was also used for night clocks in Italy, where it is thought that the Campani brothers were the first to use the system. Johann Serner He was known mostly for his small clocks, however he is also known to have delivered, along with Michael Bürger, a tower clock for St. Lorenz Church in Lübeck. We know that he married twice, on October 15, 1702 and on October 31, 1717. He died before 1728. His son, who had the same name, was also a watchmaker in that city. His work is in Tiroler Landesmuseum in Insbruck, private collections, and a clock in St. Jacobs Church.