Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 100

Swiss, No. 1082, made for the Islamic Market, circa 1880. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel, diamond-set hunting cased keyless watch, the case in the manner of J. Ferrero.

CHF 55,000 - 65,000

C. Four body, massive, the band entirely pave-set with rose-cut diamonds, the cover with 12 chapter apertures and centred with a Royal crown, the back decorated en suite with black champleve enamelled decoration, the band chased with "fleurs de lys", diamond-set bow and winding-crown designed as a crown. Hinged gold cuvette. D. Black enamel with gilt Turkish numerals. Gold "spade" hands. M. 16"', nickel plated with gold wheel train, "fausses cotes" decoration, 15 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Numbered on the cuvette. Dian. 46 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 1

As new
Movement: *4

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 21-51

Period

Partially reprinted

Notes

The style of the case and of the winding-crown of this watch, compared to that of lot 99 which also carries the serial number engraved in the same way on the cuvette, indicates that they were produced by the same workshop. J. Ferrero Case maker jeweller, able engraver and enameller, he was successor to J. L. Simonet & Cie. He settled in Geneva, 19, rue du Rhone in 1854, and specialised in very expensive gold and enamelled watch cases, richly inlaid with diamonds and gems, made for the Chinese, Indian and Islamic markets. He also used to work with Graff, the celebrated portrait painter. J. Ferrero received the highest award at the Chicago Universal Exhibition in 1893 and a gold medal at the Exposition Nationale de Geneve in 1896. He was appointed member of the Jul . ) at the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1900.