Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 14, 2017

LOT 245

A) REBECCA COVERING HERSELF WITH A VEIL BEFORE ISAAC William River , London, No. 2839. Made circa 1740. Very fine and very rare, rococo, 22K gold pair-cased pocket watch with unusual two-layer repousse work and outer giltbrass and shagreen protecting case. B) DUMONT, 17TH CENTURY OIGNON WATCH WITH ALARM DUMONT, 17TH CENTURY OIGNON WATCH WITH ALARM,Dumont frères a Besancon. Made circa 1690. Very fine and rare, silver-cased, Louis XIV "oignon" watch with alarm.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

HKD 40,000 - 56,000 / USD 5,000 - 7,000

TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

Sold: CHF 6,250

A) Outer: two-body hinged, repoussé, decorated with a scene of Rebecca covering herself with a veil before Isaac after the engraving by G. van der Gouwen after G. Hoet "Rebecca lights off the camel & covers her Self with a vail" of 1728, the high relief repousse pierced and a further repousse gold plate secured behind to create DEPTH of background, rococo scroll border, fl ower and asymmetric scroll decorated bezel. Inner: two-body, "bassine", polished, master mark probably JC. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer arcaded minute track and Arabic fi ve-minute numerals. Pierced gilt hands. 34.5 mm. hinged, gilt full-plate with square baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three- arm steel balance with flat balance spring, pierced and engraved two-footed cock, silver regulation dial. Movement signed, inner case with indistinct London hallmarks. B) Double body, oignon, polished back, the side engraved and pierced with ringed sound holes,loose ring pendant. Gilt brass with black radial Roman numerals on white enamel cartouches, inner white enamel quarter-hour chapter, innermost gilt brass revolving alarm setting disc with Arabic numerals. Blued-steel single hand for alarm setting and beetle pointer for the hours. Hinged gilt brass full plate with divided Egyptian pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring and gilt brass Louis XIV cock pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, rack and pinion regulator, alarm train with gilt brass fixed barrel pierced and engraved with scrolls, alarm striking on a bell in the back of the case. Movement signed Dumont frères a Besancon.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: A) AA B) A
Case: A)3 B)4-7

Oxidized
Movement: A)3* B)4-8*

Slightly scratched

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: A)4-32-01 B)4-72-01

Slightly restored

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Chipped winding aperture

HANDS Original

Notes

A) DIAM. 45 mm. The present lot was previously sold by Neumarkt on June 1, 1972 This watch exhibits the rare type of repousse work whereby the scene in high relief is partially pierced and a further repousse gold plate is mounted behind to give the impression of extra DEPTH to the scene. The scene represents Rebecca covering herself with a veil before Isaac. Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to look for a bride for his son Isaac, praying for guidance, he asked that whoever gave him and his camels water at the well would be an eligible woman. This proved to be Rebecca, Eliezer then took her back to Canaan where Isaac saw the camels approaching. When Rebecca learned who he was, she alighted and covered her face with a veil. Isaac took her to his mother's tent and she became his wife. This scene was engraved by G. van der Gouwen in 1728 after a painting by G. Hoet, this engraving is now in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. A repousse watch with the same scene is illustrated in "The Art of the Gold Chaser in 18th Century London", Richard Edgcumbe, 2000, fi g. 134a.. B) DIAM. 52 mm. The present lot was previously sold by Neumarkt on June 1, 1972 To be sold without reserve