71
Swiss
A rare gilt silver-enamel watch with 8-day movement and polychrome enamel painting for the Chinese market
Estimate
CHF5,000–10,000
€5,400–10,800
$6,300–12,600
Live 9 May, 2 PM Switzerland Time
Manufacturer
Swiss
Year
Circa 1840
Case No
22
Material
Gilt/silver
Calibre
Manual, engraved, 12 jewels
Dimensions
63mm diameter
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- 8 Day movement
- Beautiful enamel case and engraved movement
- Very well preserved
The present piece is a magnificent gilt silver and enamel jewelled watch with eight-day movement, created expressly for the Chinese market. an ensemble conceived both for splendour and spectacle.
The enamel dial, preserved in striking condition, features slender teutomatic numerals and elegant blued spoon-shaped hands, with central seconds lending animation to the display. The aesthetic is restrained yet refined, allowing the decorative virtuosity of the case and movement to command attention.
Beneath, the richly chased and display-worked movement is a triumph of ornamental horology. Blued screws punctuate the gilt surfaces, while the mainspring barrel incorporates an internal toothed setting with additional wheelwork—evidence of technical ambition beyond the ordinary. The duplex escapement, prized for its precision and refinement, is paired with a three-arm steel balance wheel fitted with blued “wings” and secured by a ruby endstone in a blued setting.
These distinctive blued mounts on the balance rim—poetically referred to as “little devils”—carry cultural resonance. According to Chinese tradition, their interruption of the perfect circular form was believed to deter malevolent spirits, safeguarding the regularity of time itself.
- 8 Day movement
- Beautiful enamel case and engraved movement
- Very well preserved
The present piece is a magnificent gilt silver and enamel jewelled watch with eight-day movement, created expressly for the Chinese market. an ensemble conceived both for splendour and spectacle.
The enamel dial, preserved in striking condition, features slender teutomatic numerals and elegant blued spoon-shaped hands, with central seconds lending animation to the display. The aesthetic is restrained yet refined, allowing the decorative virtuosity of the case and movement to command attention.
Beneath, the richly chased and display-worked movement is a triumph of ornamental horology. Blued screws punctuate the gilt surfaces, while the mainspring barrel incorporates an internal toothed setting with additional wheelwork—evidence of technical ambition beyond the ordinary. The duplex escapement, prized for its precision and refinement, is paired with a three-arm steel balance wheel fitted with blued “wings” and secured by a ruby endstone in a blued setting.
These distinctive blued mounts on the balance rim—poetically referred to as “little devils”—carry cultural resonance. According to Chinese tradition, their interruption of the perfect circular form was believed to deter malevolent spirits, safeguarding the regularity of time itself.