432,500 CHF
Unsigned, by Piguet Meylan, Geneva, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1820. "La Rose". Extremely rare and magnificent 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set, half-skeletonised, quarter repeating watch, designed as a rose, with special escapement. Double body shaped, the band with green champleve enamelled decoration and inlaid with split pearls, pearl-set bezel, the back realistically painted as the flower with split-pearl inlaid petals, stem and leaves of green translucent enamel over engine-turning. Hinged glazed gold cuvette. White enamel with Roman numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "scotties" hands. Notes By the time this watch was made, Piguet & Meylan were the most eminent makers in Geneva for such prestigious watches sold in China or presented to the Emperor or to Chinese dignitaries coming to Europe on official business. Since Piguet & Meylan had no direct agent in China, they had to rely either on wholesalers in England trading with China or traders on location. Only these wholesalers and traders had the connections and introductions required to reach the Court or government who were the potential buyers of such outstanding pieces. However these wholesalers and traders did not wish the name of the maker to appear on these watches, which explains why they were rarely signed. An identical watch , the front plate beneath the dial marked "P.M.", Piguet Meylan trade mark, was sold by Klaus Niedheidt Auktion XXIII on 4th Novembre 1989, lot 154. A pa Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1996-04-20
