Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 14, 2017

LOT 224

ILBERY, ''EL CAMINO DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA'' Gold and enamel '' Road to Santiago de Compostella''. London, No. 6838, the enamel attributed to Hess, Geneva.circa 1820. Very fine and rare, 18K gold, painted on enamel pocket watch with duplex escapement.

CHF 40,000 - 60,000

HKD 320,000 - 480,000 / USD 40,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 75,000

Two-body, "Empire", the hinged back cover decorated with a very finely painted on enamel scene in the manner of Hess depicting a priest wearing two scallop shells on his cassock helping a young lady on the road. The bezel decorated with engraved gold, red,black and blue enamel, the stem and bow decorated with white, red and turquoise enamel, hinged and sprung back gold cover. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute track, center seconds. Gold "heart" hands. 49 mm. (22```), gilt brass fully engraved "Chinese" caliber, free-standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, diamond endstone..


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIAM. 58 mm. WILIAM ILBERY (ca. 1760-1839). Active in London from 1780 in Goswell Street, he moved to Duncan Terrace towards the end of the 18th century. Following JAMES COX in London and JAQUET DROZ in Switzerland, he also specialized in the production of luxury watches for the Chinese Market. His early production was very much in the English style, featuring a full plate movement and an English type single wheel duplex escapement. However, for his highest quality watches, he incorporated a spring detent escapement. Later, the watch movements he produced were much inspired by the Lepine caliber with free-standing barrel, as were Jaquet Droz's Swiss production signed in London and that of WILLIAM ANTHONY, who worked in London. Little is known about the enamel painter HESS who is recorded at 42, Allemands - Dessous, Geneva, in 1828. His work is of extremely high quality and it is likely that his unsigned work has often been mistaken for the work of JEAN-LOUIS RICHTER. The large almond shaped eyes of the subjects seem to be an identifying feature of his work. A fine watch for the Chinese market, the enamel signed by Hess was sold by ANTIQUORUM, Hong Kong, 9th & 10th July 2005, Lot 366. The present lot was previously sold by Neumarkt on June 1, 1972