The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 326

John Bittleston, London, No. 1236, circa 1790.Fine and rare gilt brass and enamel pearl and paste-set pair-cased watch with regulator dial, calendar and concealed erotic scene.

C. Double body outer, the bezel engraved with floral decoration and set with alternate split-pearls and red pastes, the back with matching decoration, set with an enamel panel painted with two maidens with doves, the inside painted with a pastoral scene depicting two young couples training for an love contest. D. White enamel, regulator type with minutes on the bezel border, subsidiary dials for the dates, hours and seconds. Gold hands. M. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee wih chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass English cock with diamond end-stone. Gilt brass dust cap.Signed on the back plate and dust cap.Diam. 73 mm.