Important Jewelry, Watches and Wristw...

Hong Kong, Furama Hotel, Jun 07, 1999

LOT 301

Le Roy & Fils, Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal, 13-15 Galerie Montpensier, Paris, No. 35539, circa 1860. Very fine 18K gold and enamel, hunting cased watch.

HKD 28,000 - 35,000

USD 4,000 - 5,000

. Three body, massive, "forme quatre baguettes " , engine-turned with reeded band, the back centred with the enamel painted coat of arms of the Mercy d'Argenteau family, the cover with a blue champleve enamelled monogram. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 18"', gilt brass, bar calibre with going barrel, 15 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Signed on the cuvette. Diam. 47 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-14

Good

Damaged
Movement: *3

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-01

Fair

HANDS Original

Notes

Mercy d'Argenteau The enamelled coat of arms on the back of the case is that of the famous Mercy d'Argenteau family. Considering the monogram, this watch could have been that of Francois-Joseph-Charles-Marie, Comte Mercy d'Argenteau, Comte de l'Empire par lettres patentes du 25 mars 1810, Chambellan de lEmpereur, Grand Officier de la Legion d'Honneur, Chevalier de Saint- Jean de Jerusalem, born in Liege on April 12, 1780, and who died at the Chateau d'Argenteau on February 25, 1869. As Comte de l'Empire, he was the sole legatee of Claude-Florimond, Comte Mercy d'Argenteau, Feld-marechal lieutenant, Grand Chambellan et Gouverneur du Braban, who died in 1794, and who bequeathed him the Comte de Mercy, in Lorraine. He belonged to the famous house of the sires d'Argenteau, in the Principality of Liege. His father, Joseph-Louis-Eugene, Comte d'Argenteau, seigneur d'Ochain, Comte de Dongelberghe, was Chambellan du Roi Louis XVI, from where he spied on the Court on behalf of Austria. The watch could also have belonged to his son, Charles Joseph- Francois, Comte de Mercy d'Argenteau, born in 1808, and who died in Paris in May 1886.