Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 102

Le Phare (Barbezat Baillot), Swiss, No. 10323, circa 1900. Very fine and unusual 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set, hunting cased, keyless minute repeating watch with automaton scene.

C. Four body, "bassine et filets", the band of scarlet flinque enamel with gilt decoration, cover and back with pearl-set border, the enamel cover panel painted with a wild horse attacked by a bear, the back panel with a view of Lake Leman and the Mont-Blanc mountains, within a garland of flowers, painted over a pink opalescent ground. Hinged gold cuvette decorated with medals awarded in different exhibitions. D. Small white flinque enamel with Roman numerals and gilt decoration, subsidiary seconds en suite. Gilt-brass "Louis XV " hands. The blued-steel dial plate applied with a very unusual enamelled automaton scene of sailors busy aboard a ship, sailor jacks above the dial, striking hours, quarters and minutes on a bell. M. Gilt brass, 15 jewels, st raight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguct balance spring. Repeating on gongs with fly regulator and push piece in the band. Signed on the cuvette. Dtam. 58 mm.