Hong Kong, May 29, 2022

LOT 416

Pierre Rigaud
Pocket watch, early minute-repeater; 18K yellow gold

HKD 56,000 - 95,000

EUR 6,700 - 11,500 / CHF 7,000 - 12,000 / USD 7,100 - 12,100

Sold: HKD 75,000

18K yellow gold, open-face, key-winding, round-shaped, “Empire” pocket watch, with one horological complication:
· Minute-repeater by two hammers on two steel gongs (activated by depressing the pendant); safety bolt locking the repeater’s functions (slide located on the case-band at 11 o’clock)

Case-back polished; fluted case-band; glazed cuvette (dome).

White enamel dial with suspended Breguet numerals; blued steel and gold skeleton hands.

Movement 22’’’, full plate, gilded brass, fusee and chain, verge escapement, monometallic balance (probably gold) and blued steel flat hairspring, silver regulator disc; minute-repeater work on the top plate.


Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Pierre Rigaud, Geneva

Year circa 1810

Movement No. 10 078

Case No. unnumbered

Material 18K yellow gold

Diameter 56.8 mm.

Caliber 22’’’, fusee and chain, verge escapement

Weight 123.2 gr. (approx.)

Signature dial

Notes

This is an extremely rare and attractive pocket watch features a minute-repeater, which, due to its highly complex design, is very unusual to appear in a watch dating from the early 19th century.

--

Rigaud, Pierre

Jean-Pierre Rigaud was born in Geneva in July 1750. He was the son of Lazare Rigaud (1716-1785), watchmaker, and Elisabeth Aubert (circa 1729-1789). In 1775, Rigaud married Marie de Choudens (1751-1828), daughter of Jacques de Choudens (1728-1801), watchmaker.

Rigaud was appointed maker to the Russian court and henceforth signed his timepieces “Pierre Rigaud”. He was also mayor of Dardagny from circa 1818 to 1820; Dardagny is a small town, 11 kilometres to the west of Geneva near the French border.

Jean-Pierre Rigaud died at the age of 69 on Saturday, January 11, 1820, in Dardagny.

A pocket watch by Rigaud is kept in the Château de Versailles.