Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

New York, Omni Berkshire Place Hotel, Jun 20, 1998

LOT 435

Pierre Duhamel, Geneva, the enamel attributable to Pierre Huaud, the father, circa 1660. Fine 22K gold and enamel pre-balance spring watch.

USD 20,000 - 24,000

Sold: USD 36,800

C. Double body, bassine with loose ring pendant, entirely decorated in enamel, the bezel painted with a foliage decoration, the band painted with a landscape, the back of green flinque enamel and centred with a rosette, the border decoration matching that of the bezel, the interior painted with a landscape. D. White enamel chapter ring with Roman numerals, the central decoration matching that of the back of the case. Single steel hand. M. Hinged giltbrass full plate with turned balluster pillars, fusee with gut line, three wheel train with verge escapement and plain two-arm steel balance without spring. Pierced and florally engraved oval section silver balance cock, the brackets supporting the worm-and-wheel regulator of similar design, with silver indicator disk. Signed on the back plate. Diam. 30 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 26

Upgraded
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 24-51

Slightly chipped

Partially reprinted

Notes

Duhamel Pierre II (1630-1686) Born in Marchenoir, Loir-et-Cher (France), son of Pier r e I. Settled in Geneva where he became Master in 1654 and married the same year. He had seven children, four daughters and three sons. He made astronomical , watches, and also watches in enamelled and rock crystal cases, or watches designed as various animals. He became citizen of Geneva in 1661. Pierre I Huaud le pere Born Chatellerault circa 1612, died Geneva 1680. Son of a French goldsmith who emigrated to Geneva in 1630. Apprenticed to Laurent Legare, made partner in 1634 and married Francoise Mussard in 1634. The founder of the famous dynasty of enamellers, which continued with his three sons and apprentices until circa 1720. He is the first recorded enamel painter working in Geneva. Very few signed examples of the work of Pierre I exist, and the question of attribution has long been confused by mixing the work of Pierre I with that of his eldest son Pierre II. Dr. Hans Boeckh addressed this problem in a monograph on the signed plaque now preserved in the Musee de Geneve. Boeckh draws attention to the fact that Pierre II always signed his work " P. Huaud l'aine" or P Huaud P(rimo) Genitus F".