Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 11, 2014

LOT 53

BRAS EN L'AIR Swiss, case No. 3829. Made circa 1790. Fine and very rare, 18K gold "bras en l'air" pocket watch.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

HKD 58,000 - 74,000 / USD 8,000 - 10,300

Sold: CHF 12,500

Two-body, Directoire, polished. White enamel with sector for the hours on the right and the minutes on the left, a golden sun between, gilt foliate decoration, black and white checkerboard floor design in the lower half, applied gilt-brass figure in the center, his arms raising to indicate the time activated by depressing the pendant. 50 mm., matte gilt full-plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm balance, flat balance spring, pierced and chased continental balance clock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-71-72

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Chipped winding aperture

Notes

DIAM. 57 mm. The current lot is a very fine example of the so-called 'Bras en l'air' watches, featuring one of the most original ways to display time. Few watches of this type were made towards the end of the eighteenth century.