Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 08, 2015

LOT 198

FOR THE HOUSE OF HABSBURG-LORRAINE EXCEPTIONAL CHATELAINE & WATCH Retailed by Otterbourg, Paris, case No. 17916. Made for a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, circa 1850. Exceptionally fine and rare, varicolored gold, silver and painted on enamel, keyless pendant watch with a matching chatelaine, key and fob with lapis-lazuli matrix.

CHF 40,000 - 60,000

HKD 320,000 - 480,000 / USD 41,000 - 62,000

Sold: CHF 46,250

Four-body, bezel with engraved repeated laurel leaf decoration, engine-turned back applied with high-relief chased varicolored gold scrolls and flowers, the center with painted on enamel shield of the Hbsburg-Lorraine arms flanked by silver putti. Hinged gold cuvette. CHATELAINE extremely finely chased with varicolored scrolls and articulated flower swags, the watch support with two silver billing doves, lapis-lazuli seal fob with a silver cherub holding a flower garland, matching key, three silver winged putti above holding the painted on enamel Habsburg-Lorraine arms, surmounted by a jeweled ducal coronet. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and outermost large red Arabic five-minute numerals. Pierced gold hands. 13''', matte gilt, wolf's tooth winding, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, three-arm gilt balance, flat balance spring, index regulator.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial and cuvette signed. DIAM. 33 mm. Of the very highest quality, a tour de force of the goldsmith's art, the chatelaine in particular is exquisitely made in multicolored gold with individually articulated flower swags and drapery. The ducal coronet and arms of Habsburg-Lorraine are held aloft by three winged cherubs on again superbly chased foliate scrolls and flowers. Although unconfirmed, the most likely owner of this piece was Princess Anna of Saxony, hereditary Grand Duchess of Tuscany (1836-1859) who was the wife of Ferdinand, hereditary Grand Duke of Tuscany. It was perhaps a wedding gift on the occasion of their marriage in 1856.