Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 14, 2017

LOT 174

THE VASE Probably Placide Granier, Geneva, circa 1785-1790. Magnificent and extremely rare, "Louis XVI", varicoloured gold, double-face, watch, in the form of a Neoclassical vase with two handles, with visible balance, date, compass and two concealed compartment, one for a vinaigrette with a mirror, the other for the key.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

HKD 480,000 - 640,000 / USD 60,000 - 80,000

Multi-body with covers hinged, decorated with chiselled leaves, garlands of flowers and angels, over a matted background; the front cover with two apertures, the lower one for the dial of the watch, the upper one for its balance; the back cover, also with two apertures, the upper one for a compass, the lower one for the date of the month; on the base, a concealed compartment with the vinaigrette and a mirror; on the top, a concealed compartment for the winding and setting key. White enamel with black painted radial Roman numerals and outer radial Arabic numerals for the five-minute ring. Blued steel ''arrow'' hands. Shaped like a vase with two handles, gilded brass, entirely engraved, cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, three-arm silver balance set with diamonds. The box stamped ''P G'' probably for Placide Granier (active between 1784 and 1812).


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIM. 99 X 55 mm. Galerie Neumarkt, Zürich (Switzerland), auction, October 8, 1971. This watch-object can be linked by its decoration to a small group of Genevan pieces of neoclassical inspiration of a great facture bearing sometimes the mark "P G" of a goldsmith master who can be Placide Granier. The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, as well as the Louvre Museum and the Cognacq Jay Museum in Paris, as well as various private collections, kept in their collections several of these magnificent timepieces, some in the form of miniature lanterns (with three dials), double-side miniature cartels (with two dials), canes handle, boîtes à montres (with two or three dials), perfume bottles (with two or three dials), "World Time" bonbonnière (with one dial), but also various boxes without watches (snuff-boxes, bonbonnières), etc. We found sometimes on these objects the signatures of Parisian watchmakers and retailers, such as Pierre Morand, Adam L'Echopié (master received in 1758), etc. Placide Granier, Geneva (active between 1784 and 1812) Born in Cambrai in the North of France circa 1743, he died in Geneva on April 25, 1812. In this city he married Anne André (1745-1814), a lady probably from the long line of goldsmiths and painters on enamel. He was admitted, though simple domicilié (domiciled), to the privilege of the master's degree in Geneva on December 28, 1784 (which proves its great abilities!), having presented as a masterpiece "une boîte garnie de diamants très bien faîte'' (a box set with diamonds, very well made). He was received as a habitant (resident) of that city on July 6, 1791, and Master goldsmith the following August 2. He associated with Jean-Georges Vignier (1769-1833), Master jeweller (received on August 27, 1791).