Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 31, 1998
LOT 133
Ferdinand Berthoud a Paris, No. 2157, sold to Mr. de Liestonneau from Versailles, on 7 October 1785, for L. 500. Fine and rare 18K gold watch.
CHF 4,000 - 5,000
Sold: CHF 4,600
C. Double body, Louis XVI, polished, No. 504, by M. Andre. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gold "poker and beetle " hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with polished steel end-piece. Signed on the dial and back plate. Diam. 41 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 4 |
Fair |
Movement: 4* |
Fair Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
In the inventory made by Ferdinand Berthoud of the watches in
stock after the suicide of Henry Berthoud, this watch was
recorded as follow:
tllontre simple, echappentenl d. chernlles.
ildouvenaent fin.i en Mane de 54. Vincent L. 240
Bocce No. 504 de Al. Andre L. 113
7O/al aver !es lournilures L. 375
It was subsequently sold by Louis Berthoud, then in charge of
the workshop:
endue le 7 Octobre 1785 a NI. (le Liestonneau
de Versailles, pout le pax de L. 500
Refer to: J-C. Sabrier: La Longitude en rimer a t heure de Louis
Berthoud et Henri Motel. Geneve 1993, p. 374.
It is interesting to note that two mistakes were made when the
watch was recorded, firstly the watch is recorded as fitted with a
pin-wheel escapement, although it is in fact a cylinder
escapement, secondly it is written in the archives: rase No. 504
and the case of the actual watch carries the No. 604. However,
the serial number, the hallmarks and the Master Mark
demonstrate that the entry in the records does refer to the
watch above.