Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 251

Hunt & Roskell, London, made by Sylvain Mairet (S.M.) No. 274, with London hallmarks for 1846. Exceptional 18K gold, extra-slim, independent dead centre-seconds watch with regulator dial, thermometer, special escapement and hand setting device.

CHF 18,000 - 22,000

Sold: CHF 28,750

C. Double body, the engine-turned back with bayonet fixing, by Elizee Piguet (Master mark). D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer seconds ring, sunk subsidiary minutes and thermometer sector. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 18"', frosted and gilt, double train with going barrels and female winding squares, 24 jewels, Mairet's straight line lever escapement with the lift on the escape wheel teeth, cut bimetallic balance, balance spring with terminal curve. Independent seconds bolt in the band. Special hand setting device by means of the crown when pulled. Signed on the dial, the front plate marked S.M. with the No. 274. Diam. 44 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 14

Damaged
Movement: *2

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 25-51

Chipped

Partially reprinted

Notes

This extr emely elegant watch typical of Sylvain Mairet's production with most of his innovations, the escapement, the hand setting device, the design of the dial and the slimness. It is one of the finest examples of watches produced by Sylvain Mairet for Hunt and Roskell during his five years stay in London. It can only be compared with that illustrated and described in The Canuair 13ookt o/ Antique Watches, London 1976, pp. 224-225 and the fine pocket chronometer from the British Museum, illustr ated by G. Daniels and C. Glutton in Watches, London 1971, fig. 284 a-b. In London, Sylvain Mairet, produced high quality watches for Hunt and Roskell and became a friend of James Ferguson Cole who was much influenced by his style and technique.