Hong Kong, May 29, 2022

LOT 415

Robert & Courvoisier
Pocket watch, “wandering” automata; 18K yellow gold and enamel

HKD 160,000 - 238,000

EUR 19,100 - 28,600 / CHF 20,000 - 30,000 / USD 20,200 - 30,300

Sold: HKD 212,500

18K yellow gold and enamel, open-face, key-winding, round-shaped, “Directoire” pocket watch, with “wandering” automata (aperture at 12 o’clock).

Fausse-plaque (false-plate) polychrome enamelled showing, on the lower part, flowers and foliage on champlevé décor black background, and, in the upper part, a balcony overlooking a garden with a fountain in the perspective; in a semi-circular aperture, driven by the going train, gold automatons passing in a merry-go-round (carousel or roundabout), turning over every half-minute, showing a young man playing with a dog, a woman with a hurdy-gurdy playing with a dog, a boy playing with a kite and a boy playing with a ribbon, over a polychrome enamelled background showing a castle in the back field; the paintings on enamel on gold attributable to Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841), Geneva.

White enamel eccentric dial with suspended “Breguet” numerals; yellow gold hands.

Movement 19’’’, full plate, gilded brass, going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance (gilded brass) and blued steel flat hairspring, pierced and engraved gilded continental “Louis XV” cock, polished steel end-piece, silver regulator disc.


Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-24-01

Very good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Brand Robert & Courvoisier, La Chaux-de-Fonds

Year circa 1800

Movement No. 69 446

Case No. 69 446 / 478

Material 18K yellow gold and enamel

Diameter 53.3 mm.

Caliber 19’’’, cylinder escapement

Weight 96.8 gr. (approx.)

Signature dial, dust-cover and movement

Notes

Robert & Courvoisier

Association of watchmakers active in La Chaux-de- Fonds in the late-18th century and early-19th century. The company was founded in 1770 by Josué Robert (1691-1771), “Horloger du Roy de Prusse et de la Cour”, who in 1781 went into partnership with his son-in-law, Louis Courvoisier.

The company was first called J. Robert Son & Co.; in 1805, Robert, Courvoisier & Co.; and in 1816, Courvoisier & Co. Along with the Jaquet-Droz firm, they were the most important makers of musical clocks.