Geneva, May 15, 2023

LOT 287

SINGLE HAND, PRE-BALANCE SPRING, ROCK CRYSTAL PENDANT WATCH

CHF 15,000 - 35,000

EUR 15,300 - 35,600 / USD 16,900 - 39,400 / HKD 134,000 - 310,000

Sold: CHF 15,000

Extremely fine and rare, 22K gold, enamel and rock crystal, diamond-set, single-hand, lady's pendant watch.
The front and back covers in carved rock crystal, divided into 12 equal radial sectors and mounted in gold frames painted on enamel with flowers and leaves, somehow later short diamond-set pendant and bow.


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Pierre Duhamel, Switzerland

Year Circa 1660

Material Rock Crystal and gilt brass

Caliber 12''', Hinged, gilt brass full plate, unusual lyre-shaped pillars, fusee and chain, short four-wheel train with five leaf pinions, three-spoke arched wheels, verge escapement, steel two-arm circular foliot, elongated gilt brass cock.pierced and engraved with floral decoration secured by a screw, worm and wheel mainspring setting.

Signature Movement

Notes

A rare example of a mid-seventeenth century rock crystal watch in almost perfect condition.A very similar watch was in the King of Naples Collection, subsequently in Lord Sandberg's Collection (see Antiquorum, The Sandberg Watch Collection, March 31 and April 1, 2001, lot. 213).Pierre Duhamel II (1630-1686)Born in Marchenoir, Loir-et-Cher (France), he was the son of Pierre. He settled in Geneva where he became Master in 1654 and married that same year. He had seven children, four daughters and three sons. Duhamel made astronomical watches, and also watches in enameled and rock crystal cases, or watches designed as various animals. He had Abraham Durand as a pupil in 1656. He became a citizen of Geneva in 1661."Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois", Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.