Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 245

Butterfield, Paris, circa 1760. Fine octagonal, horizontal, portable silver Butterfield-type dial with compass in orig- inal fitted box.

CHF 2,500 - 3,500

EUR 1,600 - 2,300 / USD 2,000 - 2,800

Sold: CHF 4,830

C. Four hour scales for the latitudes 43°, 46°, 49°, and 52°, small compass,spring-loaded folding gnomon with bird-shaped index, latitude scale from40°-60°, small central engraved rosette, back with gilt brass plate engravedwith the latitudes of 20 European cities.Signed in the center.Dim. 65 x 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3

Good

Notes

Butterfield's dials are generally semi-universal horizontal dials, usually octagonal or oval in shape, and bearing three or four different hour scales, each marked for a different latitude. The gnomon's index, which Butterfield designed as a bird, must be set for the proper latitude on the scale. This was a very popular type of dial during a period of about 120 years, from 1670 to approximately 1790.