| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Brand Unsigned, Geneva
Model attributable to Marius LeCoultre
Year 1900
Case No. 11 752
Material yellow gold with pearls and diamonds
Diameter 19mm
Caliber Lever escapement
Notes
Movement based on the Swiss invention patent No. 114, delivered on January 12, 1889, to Marius Lecoultre, for a “Mécanisme de remontoir de montre à commande horizontale”.
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Boule de Genève
The “Boule de Genève” watches incorporate the bezel winding system patented by Marius Lecoultre (1847-1915) of Geneva (Swiss invention patent No. 114, dated January, 12, 1889). He was the son of Eugène Lecoultre (1819-1882), Genevan watchmaker who invented the perpetual calendar with rétrograde (fly-back) date (circa 1850).
The majority of the “Boule de Genève” is manufactured with an 8’’’ double-plan movement (with cylinder or lateral lever escapement). It can sometimes be found with smaller movements, 7’’’ or 6’’’ and very occasionally with a movement of 5’’’. The realisation of this movement is already in itself a technical feat but to execute it in such a small dimension is a real “tour de force”.
Some of these movements were inserted into brooches or bracelets by the best jewellers of Geneva; they also often subcontractors of the great manufactures.
If the majority of them are unsigned, some have been bought or possibly produced by major Genevan manufactures such as Patek Philippe, who presents one during the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Later Cartier, Paris, also produces “Boule de Genève”-type watches.
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.