Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 315

Probably Paris, circa 1640, with movement specially made for the case by John Le Roux, Charing Cross, London, No. 1677, circa 1790. Very fine and rare gold and champlevé enamel pair-cased watch.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 13,000 - 20,000 / USD 16,000 - 25,000

Sold: CHF 14,950

C. Outer: leather-covered, double-body, decorated with gilt piqué work in a rosette pattern. Inner: scallop-shaped, six lobes, entirely chased, engraved and enameled with floral motifs in opaque white, blue and black enamel, intertwined with translucent red, green, and dark blue, small pendant for loose bow. D. Enamel on gold, champlevé Roman numerals on gold ring with half-hour dot divisions, the center and outermost predominately in champlevé opaque white enamel decorated en suite to the case, with flowers. Blued steel ?beetle andpoker? hands. M. Hinged, gilt brass, full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement,plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass English cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage, gilt dust cap.Movement and dust cap signed.Diam. Inner case 35 mm, outer 44 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 50
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 23 - 01

Notes

It was a common practice in the 18th century to replace a movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collections. The fact that the movement of this watch was replaced by John Leroux, a maker of great repute, known for his excellent workmanship and innovations, suggests that it was particularly dear to its owner. John Leroux, as shown by the examples of his work preserved in the British Museum, may have been the inventor of draw in the lever escapement, a feature without which a lever escapement would not function reliably. The chasing on the dial, featuring thin lines and representing flower stems and petals, is reminiscent of cloisonné enamel. Although John Leroux, a maker of French origin, was established in London by 1744, he was not admitted into the Clockmakers' Company until 1781. His surviving work is without exception of very high quality. He was a maker of outstanding ability and along with Emery and Grant, almost unique among London makers of the eighteenth century in appreciating and improving upon the lever escapement invented by Thomas Mudge in 1754.