The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 190

Henry Capt, Genève, No. 326015, circa 1920.Fine and extremely rare, 18K gold, eight day going keyless watch with power reserve indication.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

C. Three body, massive, "demi-bassine", polished. Hinged gold cuvette. D. Silver satiné with gold applied Breguet numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds and Up-and-Down scale. Gold "cathedrales" hands.M. 17''', rhodium plated, "fausse côtes" decoration,21 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring with swan neck micrometric index.Signed on the dial and movement.Diam. 46 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: * 3
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Henry-Daniel CaptBorn in Chenit in 1773, married Henriette Piguet. He was specialised in the production of complicated watches, musical watches and automaton watches. Among the first in Geneva to use musical mechanism with pinned cylinder and tuned teeth comb, he was famous for his snuffboxes with music and automaton scenes. From Ventôse 16, An X (March 7, 1802), to 1811, he formed a partnership with Daniel Isaac Piguet, native from the same village. Their signature was Piguet & Capt. In 1811, when Piguet brokeff to join Meylan in a new partnership, Henry-Daniel Capt decided to work on his own until, in 1830, he formed a new partnership with Aubert and his son, Place Bel-Air vis-à-vis de la balance. Their signature was Aubert & Capt. They were among the first makers in Geneva to produce watches with chronograph. In 1844 the workshop was at108, rue Neuve in Geneva and was then managed by his son, Henri Capt Jr. After a short time the workshop moved to85, rue de la Fusterie, and in 1851, to 177, rue du Rhône. In 1880, the firm was bought by Gallopin and its name became H. Capt Horloger, Maison Gallopin Successeurs, trademark registered on November 1, 1880, under No. 44. This signature was only used for watches retailed in their own store, the watches supplied to other retailers being just signed, Henry Capt.