13,800 CHF
Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1770. Fine and extremely rare 20K gold quarter repeating watch with carillon on six bells. Double body Louis XV, the bezel engraved with scrolling foliage, the back pierced and engraved with foliage and musical trophies. Later white enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gold Louis XV hands. Hinged gilt brass full plate double cage with conical pillars, going barrel, early cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with polished steel end-piece. Repeating train with carillon on six bells with six hammers inset within the movement, musical pindrum with fly regulator. In very good condition. Diam. 55 mm. Movement diam. 38 mm. Notes Watches with carillon are extremely rare, even more so in a gold case. A small coach-watch by Chauvel was sold by Antiquorum in October 1995: The Art of British Horology, lot 33, p. 74. This movement can also be compared with that, signed Archambo, London, No. 1623, circa 1740, described and illustr ated by George Daniels and Cecil Clntton in Watches, 1971, fig. 138-139. Although slightly later than the two others, this watch appears to be the smallest known to exist.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-04-12
