Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 72

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 410236, case by Verger Freres No. 12407, re-tailed by Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, circa 1930. Very fine and rare 18K gold, silver, azure lacquer, lapis lazuli and black onyx desk clock in shape of an Oriental scent bottle with rotating ring hour display.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 16,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 28,750

C. Light blue lacquer scent bottle shaped with high-relief decoration of roses and lotus flowers with Oriental ladies on each side, lapis lazuli ring at the top with gold edges with hour display, lacquer stopper decorated en suite, stepped square base with top of lapis lazuli with gold ring, above two black onyx steps decorated with lapis lazuli at each corner, gold square feet. D. Gold ring with Arabic numerals, and quarter divisions indicated in aperture at the lapis lazuli ring. M. 45 mm., frosted gilt, 17 jewels, 8 adjustments, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring. Signed on the movement, case punched with Verger Freres marks, base engraved with the retailer?s name. Dim. Height 12 cm., base width 7 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 21 - 47
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The cooperation between Vacheron & Constantin and Verger Freres was very fruitful; it produced several extraordinary clocks and watches. Verger, Paris Two generations of designers and case makers founded by Ferdinand Verger in 1872, Place des Victoires, Paris. Ferdinand Verger had two sons, Georges and Henri. In 1896 the trademark F.V. was registered. Ferdinand Verger bought from Roux, the firm of Lepine, Place des Victoires, in 1901, and in 1914 he liquidated the remaining stock to Louis Leroy but kept the trademark which was registered again by him in 1917. Successors to their father in 1911, Georges and Henri settled at 51, rue Sainte Anne under the name of Verger France. The Master mark became V.F. They were the agent in Paris for Vacheron & Constantin, not only wholesalers but also designers and case makers. They produced cases for the finest jewellers of the world, including Boucheron, Mauboussin, Ostertag, Tiffany, La Cloche, Van Cleef & Arpels, Gübelin and even Hauser-Zivy y Cia., in Mexico. They employed up to 40 craftsmen in Paris, not only jewelers, to produce cases and to fit the movements, but also watchmakers for the adjustment and after sale service of movements. Some of their models are very original, such as the socalled "Bras en l?air", made with a figure of Buddah, of a serpent charmer or of a Mandarin, the famous "Radiateur", often sold as a purse clasp, the Montres à volets, produced for Ostertag, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Mauboussin, Gübelin and Tiffany, and the celebrated Montre Cadenas, specially designed for Van Cleef & Arpels. The revival of the fashion for dials and cases with painted miniatures on ivory panels was one of their great success stories. They also were the creators of magnificent clocks, with pietra dura dials, and of the outstanding mystery clocks, pride of Vacheron & Constantin, made in the 1920?s and 30?s.