The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 312

Swiss, No. 14183, circa 1890.Very fine and rare 18K gold hunting-cased keyless minute repeating watch with concealed erotic automaton scene.

CHF 12,000 - 14,000

Sold: CHF 17,480

C. Five body, massive, "bassine et filets", entirely engraved with jungle foliage, the cover with blank cartouche, the back with an elephant. Hinged gold cuvette, engraved technical details disclosing the concealed richly enamelled scene of an Arabian patio with much activity in the best tradition of racial harmony and to the delight of a youthful onlooker.D. White enamel with Roman numerals, and sunk subsidiary seconds. Gold "spade" hands. M. 21''', frosted and gilt bar caliber, 34 jewels with straight line lever escapement, cut bi-metallic balance and Breguet balance spring. Repeating on gongs with slide in the band.Diam. 57 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 37

Re-gilt
Movement: * 13 - 31
Dial: 4 - 01

Notes

The quality of enamel work is well above average for this type of watch. Depending upon which cover of the watch is facing upwards, the correct side will open automatically by depressing the winding crown.A similar watch, No. 14182, published in Hours of Love, by Roland Carrera, Editions Scriptar-Antiquorum, Lausanne-Genève, 1993, p. 61, was sold by Antiquorum in Hong Kong, on June 18, 1994, lot 277.