Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 24, 1999

LOT 58

Meunier (Claude Francois) le Jeune a Paris, Invenit et Fecit, the case attributable to Jean Joseph de Saint Germain. Fine and important ormolu, Petite Sonnerie, quarter repeating centre seconds transportable clock with special escapement, alarm and double calendar a cercles tournants.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 79,350

C. Gilt bronze rectangular with arched top and canted corners, surmounted with the double calendar within a vase topped by a pine cone and flanked by four pomegranate finials, back folding handle. D. White enamel by Barbezat (signed on the enamel backing) with Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute and seconds ring, centre gilt brass alarm setting disc. White enamel cercles tournants for dates and clays of the week. Pierced and engraved Louis XV hands and serpent pointer for the calendar. M. Brass rectangular with arched top, turned pillars, going barrel for both the going and the striking train, double wheel Dutertre escapement, brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, rack and pinion regulator with silver disc, brass continental cock with polished steel end-piece. Quarter striking train with count wheel on the back plate and pull-wound quarter repeating on two bells. Alarm on a bell. Double calendar d cercles tournants, driven by the striking train. Signed on the dial and back plate. Dim. 31 x 15 x 9 cm.


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Grading System
Case: 4

Fair
Movement: *4

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 22-01

Later original

HANDS Original

Notes

With quarter striking, quarter repeating and alarm trains, centre seconds and double calendar, this very elegant transportable clock with special escapement, appears to be one of the most sophisticated ever produced at the period. A clock by Gomet, with a gilt metal case signed by jean Joseph de Saint Germain, but without the double calendar d carries lournants, in the urn at the top, was sold in Paris Salle Gaveau, on June 28, 1994. We gratefuly acknowledge the assistance provided by Mr. Jean Dominique Augarde, in the preparation of this catalogue entry. Mr. Augarde is the author or co-author of several important publications on gilt bronzes and works of art, including Vergoldeten Bronzen, Munich 1986, Les Ouvriers du Temps, Antiquorum Editions, 1995 and Antide janvser, Mecanscien- Astronone, Horloger ordinaire du Rot, Paris 1998.