Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...
Hong Kong, Hotel Furama Kempinski, Jun 09, 1997
LOT 363
A.S. & F. (Armand Schwab & Freres, La Chaux-de-Fonds), Swiss, Mysterieuse, Brevete S.G.D.G., circa 1890. Extremely rare and fine 18K gold, early, keyless mystery watch.
HKD 54,000 - 62,000
USD 7,000 - 8,000
C. Three body, "bassine et filets " , polished, glazed on both faces. D. Eccentric glass with Arabic numerals and outer black chapter minute ring with gilt Arabic numerals. Polished steel "spade" hands. Engineturned dial plate with foliage decoration M. Gilt brass, crescent shaped, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Signed on the dial plate. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm.
Notes
Built on the principle invented by Robert-Houdin for clocks,
this watch seems to work without any mechanical movement. In
fact, driven by the crescent shaped movement concealed above
the dial on the border, the hands are revolving with the glass
plate, set beneath the dial.
Patented by Armand Schwob & Prere d Paris on 24 January
1889, such watches were very popular towards the end of the
19th century; quite a few were produced in silver cases, but most
are now in poor condition, the glass dials being often broken. It
is extremely rare to find these watches with gold cases and it
seems that no more than 1 0 examples were produced.
Photocopies of Swiss patent No. 151, Classe 123, published on
24 January 1889, will be provided.