141,600 HKD
“Dido & Aeneas” Gregson a Paris, No. 6027. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1790. Very fine, quarter-repeating, 18K gold, painted on enamel, pearl and rose-cut diamond-set pocket watch. Two-body, “bassine”, the back with a finely painted on enamel scene depicting Dido & Aeneas, royal blue translucent enamel background over engine-turning, gold paillon border, outer rose-cut diamond-set border and outermost split-pearl-set border, the bezel set with split-pearls. White enamel, upright Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with 15 minute Arabic numerals. Gold “beetle & poker” hands. 38 mm., hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance with blued-steel flat spring, continental two-footed cock pierced and engraved, silver regulation dial, repeating on a bell activated by depressing the pendant. Dial and movement signed. Diam. 50.5 mm. Notes Jean Gregson Of British origin, he was watchmaker to The King. Gregson must have been considered as one of the best by his contemporaries since he was chosen in 1786 to be a member of the Royal Clock Manufactory commission. Only three other watchmakers were on the commission: Breguet, Berthoud and Lepaute.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-11-25
