The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 195

Le Phare (Barbezat Baillot), Swiss, No. 80402, made in 1914 for the Cantonal Shooting Contest in Geneva.Very fine niello silver keyless quarter repeating watch.

CHF 4,000 - 4,500

C. Four body, "demi-bassine", niello silver, bezels and band with foliate decoration, the back with the Arms of the City of Geneva and the inscription: Tir Cantonal du Centenaire, 1814-1914. Hinged gold cuvette engraved with the Arms of Geneva. D. White enamel with bold Breguet numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. Gold "spade" hands. M. 19''', gilt brass, 29 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Repeating on gongs with push piece in the band.Signed on the dial.Diam. 54 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 4 - 18
Movement: * 3
Dial: 4 - 23 - 01

Notes

Tir fédéralThe Tir fédéral is a traditional Swiss Shooting Institution that goes back several centuries. It would be impossible to understand its history without mentioning the initiation and training of young boys to such ancient shooting sports as archery, crossbow archery, or the use of the sling. Towards the middle of the 14th century, the Tir was already considered as an important element of national defence.The first regulations of the Tir were established as early as in the middle of the 15th century. Furthermore, thanks to the authorities, shooting associations and societies were formed and equipped with firing range facilities. Shooting soon became a national sport and various competitions were introduced, whether local, among the Swiss cantons, or on a Federal scale. Such events, involving tens of thousands of competitors, presented the winners with prizes, awards and honorary gifts.In 1864, the first federal regulation was set up for the Army with regards to a subsidy by the Confederation to be given to shooting societies. In 1907, the new military organisation instituted annual shooting practices for all troop officers as well as all soldiers armed with shotguns or rifles; it was declared that such shooting practices were part of the military service. The Tir therefore became an integral part of the Swiss Army.In 1885, the organisation committee of the Geneva Tir fédéral had authorised the supply of watches as free gifts to be offered at the 1887 Tir. Competitors had to be Swiss makers established in Geneva. The competition involving 16 participants set out special conditions for the making of the watch which concerned the movement, the size, the quality, the case and the decoration. Experts chose the prototype made by J.-J. Badollet & Cie for the making of the official watch. The chased decoration wathe work of the artists Lossier and Divorne.