18,400 HKD
A. S. & F. (Armand Schwob & Frères, Chaux-de-Fonds), Swiss, Mystérieuse, Breveté S.G.D.G.,circa 1890.Very fine silver, early, keyless mystery watch. Three-body, “bassine et filets”, polished with glazed back. Eccentric glass with radial gilt Arabic numerals and outer black minutes ring with gilt Arabic numerals. Gold “spade” hands. Engine-turned dial plate with foliage decoration Gilt brass, crescent shaped, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring.Signed on the dial plate.Diam. 54 mm. Notes Built on the principle invented by Robert-Houdin for clocks, this watch seems to work without any mechanical movement. In fact, driven by the crescent shaped movement concealed above the dial on the border, the hands are revolving with the glass plate, set beneath the dial.Patented by Armand Schwob & Frères à Paris on January 24, 1889, such watches were very popular towards the end of the 19th century.Accompanied by photocopies of Swiss Patent No. 151, Classe 123, published on January 24, 1889.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2000-06-05
