92,500 CHF
Quarter-Repeating Navette-Shaped Ring Watch – One of Only Two Known Examples - A Gift To The Emperor Napoleon I. Attributed to Antoine Rojard, Geneva, the mainspring signed Marchand, the case engraved “à l’Empereur N”. Made circa 1810. Extremely fine and exceptionally rare, 18K gold, pearl and rose-cut diamond-set ring watch with virgule escapement and visible balance, one of only two known examples of a quarter-repeating ring watch of navette shape. Two-body, navette-shaped, the bezel set with pearls, engraved band with four screws, back with engraved border pierced for the emission of sound, sliding cover engraved “à l’Empereur N” opening to reveal apertures for winding, hand-setting and regulation, the shank secured by two pins. White enamel, navette-shaped, chapter ring in the lower half with radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions and Arabic quarter-hour numerals, aperture for the visible rose-cut diamond-set balance in the upper half. Blued steel Breguet hands. 29 x 17 mm., navette-shaped, matte gilt, going barrel, virgule escapement, blued steel flat balance spring, rose-cut diamond-set balance visible through the dial, diamond endstone, repeating with two hammers on a bell recessed within the movement, activated by a slide protruding from the band. Mainspring scratch signed “Marchand”. Dim. 37 x 23 mm. Notes Provenance : By tradition, Emperor Napoleon I - A French noble family. This ring watch is only the second known example in the navette shape with
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2010-11-13
