Hong Kong, May 28, 2022
LOT 133
Niton
Digital Art Deco wristwatch, jump-hour; 18K yellow gold
HKD 56,000 - 112,000
EUR 6,700 - 13,400 / CHF 7,000 - 14,000 / USD 7,100 - 14,200
Sold: HKD 175,000
18K yellow gold, manual-winding, vertical rectangular-shaped, Art Deco gentleman’s wristwatch, snap-on case-back secured by two screws (on the case-band at 12 ‘clock, between the lugs).
Silvered silver (0.935) dial (by Stern, Geneva, No. 78), with subsidiary seconds at 6, digital minute indication in the centre and jump-hour indication at noon (aperture at 12 o’clock).
Silvered silver (0.935) dial (by Stern, Geneva, No. 78), with subsidiary seconds at 6, digital minute indication in the centre and jump-hour indication at noon (aperture at 12 o’clock).
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand Niton, Geneva
Year circa 1930-1935
Movement No. 6 372
Case No. 110 449 (by Ponti, Gennari & Cie, Geneva)
Material 18K yellow gold
Bracelet brown velvet leather strap
Buckle 18K yellow gold Art Deco buckle
Caliber 9’’’ x 10’’’ ½, “tonneau”-shaped, eight adjustments, “Poinçon de Genève” (Geneva Quality Hallmark or Geneva seal)
Height 36.5 mm.
Width 22.7 mm.
Notes
Niton S.A., Geneva
Swiss trademark registered by Jeannet, Morel and Bourquin under No. 45 822, on December 12, 1919, under the name “Niton S.A., Fabricants d’horlogerie, Manufacture de montres artistiques, chronomètres, montres plates et ultra-plates, montres-bracelets à heures sautantes, à quantième et phases de lune” (Niton S.A., Manufacturers of timepieces, Manufacture of artistic watches, chronometers, flat and ultra-flat watches, jumping hours wristwatches, with calendar and moon phases”.
The manufacture of Niton watches was created in Geneva in 1919 by two craftsmen from Vacheron Constantin, Alfred Bourquin (1887-?) and Edouard Morel (1887-?). It was established in 1924 at 24, bis rue de la Servette.
At first, they specialise in the manufacture of watches whose movements are designed and manufactured by them. They are distinguished by their ultra-thin pocket watch calibres and their “baguette” movements with winders from below, at 12 o’clock or 3 o’clock; although they manufacture a whole range of other calibres, in particular of form, and, jewellery watches.
They are known to have made some of the most admirable wristwatches in the 1920-1930’s.
The sales method consists in selling directly to stores (for example, Gübelin in Lucerne, Golay Fils & Stahl in Geneva) or watch manufacturers, to which it provides either the movements alone or complete watches (for example, Chopard or Patek Philippe in Geneva).
Production remains artisanal. Changing modes, the crisis of the 1930s, industrial productions will force them to change course and move towards other manufacturing concepts. In 1940, Niton sold his manufacturing rights to Ebauches S.A. of Grenchen.
Finally, the brand was bought in 1957 by Carlo Sarzano, who will give it a new impetus by producing gold and gold metal watches of quality. In 1971, Niton merged with Sarcar S.A., already owned by Carlo Sarzano since 1948, and legally de facto disappears.
Swiss trademark registered by Jeannet, Morel and Bourquin under No. 45 822, on December 12, 1919, under the name “Niton S.A., Fabricants d’horlogerie, Manufacture de montres artistiques, chronomètres, montres plates et ultra-plates, montres-bracelets à heures sautantes, à quantième et phases de lune” (Niton S.A., Manufacturers of timepieces, Manufacture of artistic watches, chronometers, flat and ultra-flat watches, jumping hours wristwatches, with calendar and moon phases”.
The manufacture of Niton watches was created in Geneva in 1919 by two craftsmen from Vacheron Constantin, Alfred Bourquin (1887-?) and Edouard Morel (1887-?). It was established in 1924 at 24, bis rue de la Servette.
At first, they specialise in the manufacture of watches whose movements are designed and manufactured by them. They are distinguished by their ultra-thin pocket watch calibres and their “baguette” movements with winders from below, at 12 o’clock or 3 o’clock; although they manufacture a whole range of other calibres, in particular of form, and, jewellery watches.
They are known to have made some of the most admirable wristwatches in the 1920-1930’s.
The sales method consists in selling directly to stores (for example, Gübelin in Lucerne, Golay Fils & Stahl in Geneva) or watch manufacturers, to which it provides either the movements alone or complete watches (for example, Chopard or Patek Philippe in Geneva).
Production remains artisanal. Changing modes, the crisis of the 1930s, industrial productions will force them to change course and move towards other manufacturing concepts. In 1940, Niton sold his manufacturing rights to Ebauches S.A. of Grenchen.
Finally, the brand was bought in 1957 by Carlo Sarzano, who will give it a new impetus by producing gold and gold metal watches of quality. In 1971, Niton merged with Sarcar S.A., already owned by Carlo Sarzano since 1948, and legally de facto disappears.