Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 28, 2019

LOT 490

MOULINIÉ DECORATIVE POCKET WATCH WITH CARTOGRAPHIC DÉCOR; 18K YELLOW GOLD AND ENAMEL

HKD 130,000 - 170,000

CHF 16,900 - 22,500 / USD 17,000 - 22,800

18K yellow gold and enamel, open-face, key-winding, round-shaped, large pocket watch, with silver guilloché engine-turned dial. Case-back with champlevé polychrome enamel showing the map of France with the names of towns, rivers, etc.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3-13

Good

Slightly damaged

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Brand Moulinié Frères & Co

Year circa 1830

Calibre  21''', gilded brass, with going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance (probably in gold) and blued steel flat hairspring

Case No. 1 002

Material 18K yellow gold and enamel

Caliber 21''', gilded brass, with going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance (probably in gold) and blued steel flat hairspring

Dimensions Ø 53.6 mm.

Signature dial and cuvette

Notes

Watch with cartographic décor It appears in Geneva, circa 1825-1830, watches with cartographic décor, representing various regions or countries of the world: southern part of Europe, France, Iberian Peninsula, Prussia, Turkey, Bosphorus Strait, Brazil, etc. These watches follow some exceptional pieces made by Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) in the 1810-1820’s (fourteen of his watches are now listed), with as décor: Bavaria, France, Iberian Peninsula, Bosphorus Strait, etc. Others are decorated with the plan of a city: Paris, St. Petersburg, Moscow, etc. The very consequent work of painting on enamel or engraving ?? geographical representation (mountains, rivers, lakes and seas or streets and monuments) with their names, as well as that of countries and cities ?? is either treated under a translucent enamel, said under flux (fondant in French), or champlevé (engraving + enamel). These watches ?? works of watchmakers, engravers and Genevan enamellers ?? are usually signed by major watchmakers-merchants from Geneva: Jean-François Bautte (1772-1837), Jacques-Dauphin Moulinié and his son Jean-François Moulinié (1796-1857), Jean-Gabriel Moynier (1772-1840) and his son Jacques-André Moynier (1801-1885), Alliez , Bachelard & Térond fils (associated between 1828 and circa 1845), Moricand & Degrange (associated between 1828 and 1835), Isaac Daniel Piguet & Fils (active after 1828), etc. Some are signed by the name of a foreign watchmaker, retailer of these products, even apocryphal signatures repeating the name of famous watchmakers, such as Breguet (this is often the case for watches made for Turkish market). An impressive series of these watches is now visible at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva