212,500 CHF
The Swan Fountain Unsigned, Geneva, made for the Spanish market, circa 1820. Extremely fine and rare 18K gold and enamel pearl-set center-seconds quarter-repeating watch with visible repeating works set on the back plate. Four-body, “Empire”, back painted on enamel with a castle, in the foreground a portique with three pearl-set columns, the cornice and base also set with pearls, a fountain in the shape of a pearl-set swan with its neck raised forming the water outlet, depicted by a gold stream and pearl droplets, enameled Alpine background, pearl-set bezels, reeded band, gold hinged glazed cuvette. Gold with blue and black champlevé enamel, set with pearls, pearl-set radial Roman numerals on blue enamel ring, black enamel outer minute ring, blue enamel markers, in the center a blue enamel wind rose in champlevé enamel and graduated pearls, alternating with champlevé pearl-set palmettes, against a black enamel background. Gold “arrowhead” hands. 51 mm, gilt brass full plate, cylinder escapement three-arm plain brass balance flat balance spring, repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant. Diam. 60 mm. Notes Watches made for the Spanish market, as well as for the Oriental market, are characterized by the opulence of their decoration and the finesse of their craftsmanship. This one, with its richly ornamented dial and great attention to detail, is a particularly striking example.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-04-13
