Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 197

J.B. Vrythoff, Hague, No. 152, case enamelled by Les deux fret-es Huaut les jeunes, circa 1686. Very fine 20K gold pair-cased watch.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

Sold: CHF 80,500

C. Outer double body with glazed back, the bezels engraved with foliage. Inner double body, "bassine " form with split bezel and loose-ring pendant, the back painted in polychrome colours with a representation Charity, Quantum vis ntagnos duke... after an engraving by Crispijn do Passe (1630's), the band with landscape vignettes framed in sepia and yellow and interspersed with blue panels decorated with ribbon scrolls, signed at 6 o 'clock in a cartouche: Les deux freres Huaut les jeunes, interior with a ruin in classical landscape in the style of Gabriel Perrelle. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minutes ring. Gold Louis XIV hands. M. Later custom made hinged gilt-brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass balance with mock pendulum, flat balance spring. Gilt-brass Dutch cock with pendulum aperture, chased with a seated Bacchus drinking a glass of wine. Diam. 49 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 18

Spotted
Movement: *4

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 22-51

Later original

Partially reprinted

Notes

For more information on the engraving by Gabriel Perelle (1603-1677) sec Hans Boeckh, Emailmalcm Au/ Golfer Taschemthreu etc., Freiburg 1982. Cases painted by Les deux Leres 1-tuctud were among the finest examples of painting on enamel from the Geneva school and were therefore not only highly prized when originally made, but remained as art treasures in the centuries that followed, as evidenced by this watch case, which was deemed of sufficient quality to merit a custom made movement by J.B. Vrythoff, Hague, at the beginning of the 18th century. /Apparently several examples of cases enamelled by members of the Huard family were still available at the period, for many watch with later movements by other Dutch makers, such as Van Ceulen, specially made to be housed in Huard cases, are known to exist.