27
Swiss, retailed by P. James, London
An extremely attractive yellow gold, enamel, gem-set hunter cased quarter repeating Grande and Petite Sonnerie clockwatch, made for the Indian market, with enamels signed Champod
Estimate
CHF30,000–60,000
€32,300–64,600
$36,200–72,400
Manufacturer
Swiss, retailed by P. James, London
Year
Circa 1900
Case No
3829
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Manual
Dimensions
50mm diameter
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Grande & Petite Sonnerie
- Quarter Repeater
- Finely enameled and engraved case
- Enamel work by Pierre-Amédée Champod
The present quarter-repeating grande and petite sonnerie pocket watch combines a sophisticated movement with an evocative pair of polychrome portrait miniatures. Housed within an ornamented yellow-gold case, the watch is presented with portraits of two Indian Maharajas, each rendered with attention to costume, jewelry and facial character.
The principal portrait depicts the nobleman in full court attire wearing a striped green and gold turban, layered diamond-set necklaces and a jeweled sash, while the opposing portrait presents a nobleman in everyday attire. Both portraits are signed Champod.
The case is further distinguished by finely engraved foliate borders which continue to the bow.
At the heart of the watch is its rare grande and petite sonnerie mechanism, complemented by a quarter repeater. In grande sonnerie mode, the watch strikes the passing hours and quarters automatically, while the petite sonnerie strikes the hours alone. Such mechanisms represent some of the most demanding forms of traditional portable horology, requiring considerable ingenuity to accommodate the striking train alongside the timekeeping works within the confined architecture of a pocket watch.
The juxtaposition of this complex complication with imagery associated with the Indian princely world is particularly compelling. Whether commissioned as a presentation piece or acquired during travel, the watch embodies the cosmopolitan character of late 19th- and early 20th-century luxury horology. Its survival with both portrait panels intact makes it an intriguing example of the union between mechanical virtuosity and miniature portraiture.
- Grande & Petite Sonnerie
- Quarter Repeater
- Finely enameled and engraved case
- Enamel work by Pierre-Amédée Champod
The present quarter-repeating grande and petite sonnerie pocket watch combines a sophisticated movement with an evocative pair of polychrome portrait miniatures. Housed within an ornamented yellow-gold case, the watch is presented with portraits of two Indian Maharajas, each rendered with attention to costume, jewelry and facial character.
The principal portrait depicts the nobleman in full court attire wearing a striped green and gold turban, layered diamond-set necklaces and a jeweled sash, while the opposing portrait presents a nobleman in everyday attire. Both portraits are signed Champod.
The case is further distinguished by finely engraved foliate borders which continue to the bow.
At the heart of the watch is its rare grande and petite sonnerie mechanism, complemented by a quarter repeater. In grande sonnerie mode, the watch strikes the passing hours and quarters automatically, while the petite sonnerie strikes the hours alone. Such mechanisms represent some of the most demanding forms of traditional portable horology, requiring considerable ingenuity to accommodate the striking train alongside the timekeeping works within the confined architecture of a pocket watch.
The juxtaposition of this complex complication with imagery associated with the Indian princely world is particularly compelling. Whether commissioned as a presentation piece or acquired during travel, the watch embodies the cosmopolitan character of late 19th- and early 20th-century luxury horology. Its survival with both portrait panels intact makes it an intriguing example of the union between mechanical virtuosity and miniature portraiture.