Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 154

Horas non numero nisi serenas. Ateliers Juvenia, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Paris, No. 21701, enamel painted by Richay, sold to David Zork, Chicago, circa 1925. Exceptionally fine painted on enamel, black marble and gilt bronze, 8-day going desk clock probably made for the 1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition in Philadelphia.

CHF 7,000 - 10,000

EUR 4,500 - 6,500 / USD 5,500 - 8,000

Sold: CHF 17,250

C. Two panels of a triptych, very finely painted on enamel in the Limoges style, the right one depicting a lady in medieval dress stand-ing against a starry sky, to the right a young man, hinged to reveal the dial. The reversEto the right a man in the countryside on a cloud-less and sunny day, to the left a gentleman pointing at a bird,rectangular marble base and top. D. In the center of the triptych, painted on enamel in the Limoges style, three ladies in medieval dress,one holding a falcon, one with a dog and a third holding an apple, white Roman numerals. Elaborate gilt hands. M. 42 mm (19'''),rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance withBreguet balance spring.Case and movement signed, dial signed by the painter.Dim. Height 16.5 cm, width 18.3 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

Watches and clocks especially made for Universal Exhibitions are rare. Juvenia exhibited at various Exhibitions and was awarded a number of prizes. At the 1914 Swiss National Exhibition, Juvenia exhibited the smallest single-tier movement in the world. At the 1925 Paris Art Deco Exhibition, the company showed enameled watches that were praised for "their simplicity". The following year they pre- sented a clock in the grand style, with a triptych enamel painting signed by Richay, the present clock. The movement was made in the La Chaux-de-Fonds workshop and the case in their Paris workshop. David Zork had shops in Chicago specializing in high quality furnishings and accessories. We thank Mr. Zork for information concerning the provenance of the clock, and Mr. Martial Leuba of Lemania for the confirmation that these exceptional enamel cases were made in Lemania's Paris workshops