Pierre Duhamel

Pierre Duhamel, Geneva, circa 1660. Extremely fine and rare, 22K gold, enamel and rock crystal, diamond-set, single-hand, lady's pendant watch with short gilt silver and enamel, diamond and pearl-set chain. Double-body, "bassine fermée", the front and back covers in carved rock crystal, divided into 12 equal radial sectors and mounted in gold frames painted on enamel with flowers and leaves, somewhat later short diamond-set pendant and bow. Small silver ring with Roman chapter applied on gilt florally engraved dial plate. Single steel hand. Hinged, gilt brass full plate, unusual lyre-shaped pillars, fusee and chain, short four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, three-spoke arched wheels, verge escapement, steel two-arm circular foliot, elongated gilt brass cock pierced and engraved with floral decoration secured by a screw, worm and wheel mainspring setting.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 32 mm. Notes This watch was previously in the collection of the King of Naples and subsequently in the Lord Sandberg Collection see Antiquorum, April 1, 2001, Lot. 213. Pierre Duhamel II (1630-1686) He was born in Marchenoir, Loir-et-Cher France, the son of Pierre. Settled in Geneva where he became Master in 1654 and married the same year. He had seven children, four daughters and three sons. He made astronomical watches and also watches in enameled and rock crystal cases, or watches designed as various animals. He had as a pupil Abraham Durand in 1656. He became a citizen of Geneva