Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 231

Bazin A Paris, with Paris hallmarks for 1717-18. Fine and very rare early silver quarter-repeating oignon watch with minute hand.

CHF 6,000 - 8,000

EUR 3,800 - 5,000 / USD 4,700 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 7,475

C. Two-body, oignon-shaped, by "FG", polished with band pierced for sound.D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic markers. Blued steel "fleur-de-lis" hands.M. 44 mm, gilt brass full plate, very rare silver, steel and gilt baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, 3-arm steel balance, silver continental cock pierced and engraved with serpents and foliage, ruby endstone, early form of repeating mechanism with steel work and surprise piece, repeating by a single hammer on bell by depressing the pendant.Signed on the silver ribbon fixed to the back plate, case punched with Paris Assay Office marks.Diam. 64 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 11
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 14 - 06

Notes

The invention of the repeating mechanism in England in 1687, though it was known on the Continent shortly afterwards, was not commonly used until the 1730s. A few French watches with repeating mechanisms are known from as early as the late 1680s and 1690s, but these are extremely rare and were made by the best French makers of the period, such as Nicolas Gribelin. The present watch presents an early form of repetition in a French watch, with a single hammer striking both the hours and the quarters.