Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 12, 1997

LOT 453

Lepine Hger. du Roy A. Paris, "Invenit et Fecit, No. 5659, with Paris hallmarks for 1789. Very fine 18k gold and enamel, pearl-set watch with wolf toothed train.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 12,650

C. Double body with fixed bezel and concealed hinge by Guillaume Mermillod (Master Mark), split-pearl set bezels pendant and bow, the back panel of green translucent enamel over engine-turning, centred with a miniature painted en grisaille depicting Venus and Cupid by the altar of Love. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. D. White enamel with mixed Roman and Arabic numerals. Gold pierced "fleur-de-lys and arrow" hands. M. Gilt brass 17"', Lepine calibre with free standing barrel and wolf toothed train of wheels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three arm balance, blued steel flat balance spring. Signed on the dial and cuvette. In very good condition. Diam. 50 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Notes

This watch is a very good example of Lepine 's production for a very short period between 1788 and 1790. Not only by the case with concealed hinge and fixed bezel, but also by the movement with wolf tooth wheel train, wound 6 om the back through the hinged gilt brass cuvette, and by the dial with mixed Roman and Arabic numerals, chapter I being surrounded by a thin line. It is extremely rare to find a watch with such unusual features in such a good condition. Together with the very elegant interlaced hands, those three features mark the ultimate development of the style inn oduced byJean-Antoine Lepine. This watch is illustrated by A. Chapiro in his hook, jean-Antoiw Lepine Worloger (1720-1814), Les editions de 1 ' amateur, Paris 1988, fig. 10/11, 10/31 et 10/87 a 10/89. For the details about dial with mixed Roman and Arabic numerals is refer to the now of lot No. 265.