Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 24, 1999

LOT 440

Swiss, circa 1890. Fine and extremely rare, miniature, 18K pink gold, hunting cased keyless, moon phase astronomical, minute repeating watch.

CHF 22,000 - 26,000

Sold: CHF 52,900

C. Four body, massive, "pomme grande gouge", polished the cover and back with milled border. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with roman numerals and outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary dials for days of the week, months, dates and seconds with inner moon phase aperture. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 12"', nickel plated, 29 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Repeating on gongs with slide in the band. Diam. 38 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 3

Good
Movement: *4-5

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Poor
Dial: 13-01

Slightly damaged

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch appears to be one of the smallest keyless, moon phases, astronomical, minute repeating watch ever made as a pocket watch. Few smaller minute repeating watches were produced by L. Leroy & Cie in France and Louis Audemars in Switzerland, but without perpetual calendar. Excluding the very few minute repeating wristwatches with perpetual calendar made since the 1930's by Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe or Victorin Piguet in the Vallee de Joux, no other watch of this type is known to exist.