Important Collector's, Watches, Wrist...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 15, 2000

LOT 378

B. Macé à Blois, circa 1650.Very fine and early, silver hour striking coach watch with alarm.

CHF 55,000 - 65,000

USD 31,000 - 37,000

C. Double-body, bassine with split bezel and loose-ring pendant, the band pierced and engraved with strawberry flowers. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and inner gilded brass alarm setting disc. Blued-steel arrow hand and pointer. M. Hinged fire-gilded brass full plate with delicate turned baluster pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, short (1 3/4 coils) flat balance spring, gilt brass Louis XIV cock by Gaudron in Paris. Striking train with florally pieced and engraved gilt brass fixed barrel, silver count-wheel on the back plate. Hour striking and alarm on a bell.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 110 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 21 - 01

Notes

This watch was fitted with a balance spring by Gaudron in Paris, soon after its invention by Christian Huygens in 1675. The very fine cock, signed by Gaudron, is pierced in such a way that the early short balance spring can be easily seen. The workmanship is of the highest standard, and no sign of the original cock fixing has been left to spoil the backplate. A small number of other top quality pieces were upgraded by Gaudron in the same manner shortly after the invention of the balance spring.uch transformations are always signed by him on the cock.Barthelemy Macé 1er was the son of an art dealer, Jean Macé. He began his apprenticeship in 1624, then in 1627 he switched masters and completed his term with De Burges, receiving his certificate in June 1630 and becoming master in 1637. Soon afterwards he married Marguerite, daughter of the late Michel Cuper, thus becoming the brother-in-law of the enamel painter Isaac Gribelin, who was married to his wife?s sister. Macé died in 1662, succeeded by his son, also named Barthelemy.For further details on his life see: Les Horlogers Blésois, by E. Develle, Paris 1910. Amongst his surviving work may be noted two watches with enameled cases.