Only Online Auction
Geneva, Sep 22, 2021
LOT 377
Unsigned
Horological miscellaneous; miniature reproduction of a watchmaker’s workbench with its screw-stool, its horological tools and a mannequin doll representing a watchmaker; mountain pine-wood and brass, plaster and tissues
CHF 2,000 - 4,000
EUR 1,850 - 3,700 / USD 2,200 - 4,400 / HKD 17,100 - 34,100
Sold: CHF 2,750
Mountain pine-wood and brass, miniature reproduction of a traditional watchmaker’s workbench from the Neuchâtel mountains, with its screw-stool. Of the 20 graduated drawers, only four are removable; they are all with brass buttons.
There are 20 miniature tools: watchmaker’s oil lamp, so-called “quinquet” (or Argand lamp); face-lathe with rack; up-righting tool; bench-vice; alcohol lamp; scoop for filings; alarm clock; magnifying glass (or eyeglass); hammer with wood handle; hammer with metal handle; flat-nose pliers; tweezers; file; calliper (or sliding gauge); balance beam clamp; three screw-drivers; burnisher; squaring or canter (?); and a wooden box filled with watchmaking supplies.
The mannequin is made of wood and painted plaster and is dressed in the traditional costume of the watchmakers of the Neuchâtel mountains.
There are 20 miniature tools: watchmaker’s oil lamp, so-called “quinquet” (or Argand lamp); face-lathe with rack; up-righting tool; bench-vice; alcohol lamp; scoop for filings; alarm clock; magnifying glass (or eyeglass); hammer with wood handle; hammer with metal handle; flat-nose pliers; tweezers; file; calliper (or sliding gauge); balance beam clamp; three screw-drivers; burnisher; squaring or canter (?); and a wooden box filled with watchmaking supplies.
The mannequin is made of wood and painted plaster and is dressed in the traditional costume of the watchmakers of the Neuchâtel mountains.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Brand Unsigned, L’Auberson, near Sainte-Croix (canton of Vaud)
Year circa 1990
Material mountain pine-wood and brass, plaster and tissues
Length 385 mm.
Height 240 mm.
Width 120 mm.
Notes
This object and its accessories were made in the 1990s, by a craftsman named ... ... from L’Auberson, near Sainte-Croix (canton of Vaud) who recreated this kind of “adult toy”. His advertisement was:
“Pour votre plaisir, vos cadeaux, votre décoration / Etabli miniature ancien horloger 1/5e / avec quinquet, tabouret, outils, mannequins / Exécution artisanale très soignée digne d’une pièce de musée.”
For your pleasure, your gifts, your decoration / Miniature antique watchmaker’s workbench 1/5th / with lamp, stool, tools, mannequins / Very careful handcrafted execution worthy of a museum piece.
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.