Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Mar 16, 2008

LOT 581

100 Year-Old Left Hand Winding Wristwatch Omega, retailed by Kirby, Beard & Co., Ld. (Paris), case No. 4427665, Ref. 768.12. Sold on January 20, 1910. Fine, extremely rare and very early, yellow gold wristwatch with left-handed winding crown, the back engraved with a ducal monogram and with a period strap and yellow gold wire buckle.

CHF 8,000 - 10,000

USD 7,200 - 9,000 / EUR 5,000 - 6,200

C. Four-body, solid, polished, curved bezel, wire lugs, hinged back engraved with monogram "LAM" beneath a ducal coronet. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with painted Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions. Gold spade hands. M. Cal. 12???, frosted gilt, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial and case signed. Diam. 32 mm. Thickness 9 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-43-60-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is particularly rare in a gold case and retains what is almost certainly the original strap and very attractive gold wire buckle. Although today, watches with crowns at 9 o?clock are considered to be made for left-handed wearers, this was not always the case. Watches were often worn on the right arm, regardless of whether one was left or right handed. Later, however, it became fashionable for men to wear their watch on the left arm and women on the right. In addition, watches were not generally wound on the wrist at the time.