Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 125

Vertumnus and Pomona (Louis-Michel) Hardel a Paris, No. 1974, circa 1760. 18K gold diamond, ruby, and emerald-set watch, painted on enamel in the style of the Genevese school.

CHF 7,000 - 10,000

EUR 4,400 - 6,300 / USD 5,500 - 7,800

Sold: CHF 8,625

C. Two-body, Louis XV, the back with an applied, finely painted on enamel plaque depicting Vertumnus and Pomona from an engraving by Cornelis Vermeulen (1644-1708/9) after Antoine Coypel (1661-1722), bezels with graduated diamond-set swags alternating with rubies and emeralds, ruby-set pendant.D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic markers, winding aperture at 4 o?clock. Diamond-set Louis XV hands.M. 36 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with pentagonal baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, steel balance with flat balance spring, continental cock.Signed on the movement.Diam. 44 mm.


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

Excellent
Case: 3 - 42
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 23 - 01

Notes

Vertumnus and Pomona Pomona, a wood nymph, did not care for forests and rivers, but loved gardens, the countryside, and trees that bear delicious apples. The Fauns and Satyrs would have given all they possessed to win her, but Vertumnus loved her most of all. One day he came in the guise of an old woman with gray hair and a staff in her hand. The old woman entered the garden and admired the fruit. Then she told a story of a cold woman who scorned a man?s love and was punished by the gods. This passionate speech, which in fact praised Vertumnus? love for her, finally won Pomona?s heart. At the end Vertumnus dropped his disguise, and appeared before Pomona as he truly was, a handsome youth. He appeared to her like the sun bursting through a cloud. Pomona at last returned his love.