92,000 HKD
Anonymous, Swiss for the French market, circa 1800. Extremely rare gilt-metal and enamel watch with decimal and convential time dial. Two-body, the bezel set with large pastes, the back with an enamel panel depicting the symbols of the French Revolution against a blue guilloche ground. White enamel with concentric rings for decimal hours (black Roman numerals), decimal minutes (black Arabic numerals), convential 2 x 12 hours(red Arabic numerals), and conventional minutes (red 15 minute Arabic numerals). Centre with a polychrome enamel scene of Revolutionary flavour. Gold moon hands for minutes, double-ended hand for hours. GiIt full-plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement with plain brass balance, flat spring and pierced continental cock. In good condition (see above). Diam. 55mm. Notes It is rare to find a decimal watch that lias gearing to show both decimal, convential minutes, and the sybols of the revolution painted in such a decorative manner. At our knowledge, this watch is the unique example shouring such a compromise betwen the rigour of the revolution and the States of this period.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1992-05-24
