43,700 CHF
Charles Oudin, Paris, circa 1890. Very fine and rare, 18 ct. gold astronomical double-face, keyless, minute repeating, full calendar centre seconds lady's pendant watch. Glass, gold Roman chapters on black cartouches, gold outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic numerals also on black ground. On the back, four subsidiary glass calendar dials : at the top phases and age of the moon, on the right side days of the month, at the bottom the month, and on the left the days of the week, all painted in gold on a black background. Aperture for slow and fast under the date. Gold hands. Notes Oudin Charlespupil of Breguet and one of his best foremen, devised the equation of time to fit the 'Montres de souscription'. He was established in business on his own behalf in the Palais Royal, Galerie de Pierre from circa 1804 to 1825, and was succeeded by his son who transfered the firm to Galerie Montpensier 1830-1840 and subsequently took Detouche into partnership. A. Charpentier was successor to Oudin Fils, son of Charles, with the signature: ' Charles Oudin à Paris, Horloger de L.L. M.M., l'Empereurt l'Impératrice de Russie'. To accompagny the display at the 1862 Exhibition in London, Oudin-Charpentier produced a book entitled : 'Catalogue of Chief Exhibits by Oudin-Charpentier, principal clockmakers' to their Majesties The Queen and King of Spain and to the Imperial Navy'. Considering the quality of his work, it is surprising that so little is recorded about his life.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-03-31
