Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, Nov 08, 2025
LOT 177
UNSIGNED, SWITZERLAND / GENEVA, PENDANT WATCH IN THE FORM OF A STRAWBERRY, DIAMONDS ROSE-CUT AND PEARLS, GOLD AND ENAMEL
CHF 10,000 - 20,000
HKD 98,000 - 196,000 / USD 12,500 - 25,000 / EUR 10,800 - 21,500 / JPY 1,900,000 - 3,800,000TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
A very fine and rare, 18k gold, 18k gold, enamel, pearl and rose-cut diamond-set, manual wind the back of the fruit in red enamel with half pearls for seeds, green enamel on top for the leaves set with graduated half pearls and alternately set with rose-cut diamonds, spring-loaded bezel, gold stem forms the pendant. Gold dial, champlevé with radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions, engine-turned centre. Blued-steel Breguet hands.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
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Case: 3-24 |
Good Slightly chipped |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Unsigned, Switzerland / Geneva
Year Circa 1810
Movement No. 5658
Length 25
Caliber Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, continental cock, rack and pinion regulator with a silver plate.
Height 42
Notes
The first form watches appeared in the early 17th century, the cases modeled in cast and chased silver or gold as animals, fi sh and skulls. These exotic and expensive ''toys'' enjoyed a revival during the last decade of the 18th century and the first quarter of the 19th century, naturally the fi ne Swiss watchmakers and enamelers in Geneva made some of the best examples of this period. A large variety of shapes were made, fruit being a particular favorite. Exquisite gold, enamel and jeweled watches in the form of melons, cherries, peaches and strawberries were amongst the most popular. Fruit has a powerful symbolism. In China the apple represents peace, the cherry, fertility and the strawberry represents goodness and purity, the perfect gift for a lady who would have immediately understood the meaning. The strawberry was also considered to be the holy symbol of the Virgin Mary. Form watches were never made in large numbers and surviving examples, particularly with enameled and jeweled cases, are extremely rare.