Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 101

West End Watch Co. (Geneva - Bombay - Calcutta), made for the Indian Market, circa 1890. Very fine and rare, 18K gold and enamel Grande Sonnerie, minute repeating diamond and gem-set keyless clock watch, carillon on three gongs.

C. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", the band with black champleve enamelled decoration, the blue enamel cover panel with red flinque border, inlaid with diamonds, emeralds and small cabochon rubies in an oriental rosette pattern and centred with a large marquise rose-cut diamond; the back decorated en suite and centred with a painted tiger hunting scene, a couple of tigers in the foreground, hunters riding elephants in the background. Hinged gold cuvette. D. Silver gilt engine-turned with blue enamelled "Empire" Roman numerals on a frosted chapter ring and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued-steel "pear" hands. M. 18" ', nickel plated "fausses cotes" decoration, double train with differential winding, 35 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Striking and repeating on three gongs with three hammers, push piece in the band, Sonnerie/Silcnal, selection lever on the bezel. Dian. 50 mm.