Geneva, Nov 09, 2025

LOT 438

RECORDON, ENGLAND, MADE FOR THE TURKISH MARKET, ''CABRIOLET" QUARTER-REPEATING, RUBY CYLINDER ESCAPEMENT, GOLD AND ENAMEL

CHF 10,000 - 20,000

HKD 98,000 - 196,000 / USD 12,500 - 25,000 / EUR 10,800 - 21,500 / JPY 1,900,000 - 3,800,000

TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

Sold: CHF 13,750

A very fine and rare, 18k gold and painted on enamel, manual wind "cabriolet" quarter-repeating watch in the Breguet style, with ruby cylinder escapement pocket watch. Case back painted on enamel depicting in the centeral medaillon a medieval castle on the right with a large round tower and a brick roof, and an arched bridge spanning the river. Next to it, a small white house with red tile roofs completes the picture. On the left, more small houses can be seen, and in the distance, a sailboat sails peacefully on the lake. The bright, clear sky is accentuated by mountains in the background and a grove of trees to the right. The central painting is framed by a vibrant pink and red motif, adorned with thin gold lines and delicate flowers painted in blue and orange. An outer ring of white and blue completes the design, adding a touch of sophistication. Inner case, with center with painted on enamel bouquet of flowers against translucent scarlet enamel over flinqué, border in light blue enamel with stylized gold foliage, bezels en suite to the outer case bezel.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-71-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

HANDS Original

Brand Recordon, England

Year Circa 1820

Case No. 2223

Diameter 53 mm.

Caliber 39 mm., frosted gilt, standing barrel, continuous stop work, ruby cylinder escapement with a ruby insert in the middle of the staff, brass escape wheel, three-arm gold balance with compensation curb and pare-chute, repeating on square gongs through pull-and-turn piston in the pendant.

Weight 142 gr. (with gold chain)

Signature Case signed Recordon London and master casemaker Joly. Dial signed Recordon and Lucard.

Accessories gold Breguet-type chain and gold ratchet key.

Notes

The present watch presents remarkable similarities with Breguet's work. At the time, Breguet was also making spectacular enamel watches for the Islamic market. These watches were pair cased, the back was very often painted with a harbor scene, the activation of the repeater was also the same, and for the cases Breguet used Master casemaker Joly (see Antiquorum, June 14, 2003, lot 254). The movements were also very similar, with ruby cylinder escapement (although overhanging), and quarter repeating, and the dial was also similar to that of the present watch, made by Lucard and often secured by a screw with a central gilt rosette.The watch clearly shows Recordon's continental origin. In spite of the escapement, which is typically English, the case, the dial, the pull-twist piston through the pendant and the compensation curb are clearly in the Breguet style.Recordon apparently had a Middle Eastern clientele interested in watches almost identical to Breguet's. He was certainly better equipped to respond to this demand than anyone else in England.