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West End Watch Co.
A fascinating yellow gold, enamel, diamonds, ruby and demantoid-set minute-repeating keyless hunter cased jacquemart automation pocket watch
Estimate
CHF10,000–20,000
€10,800–21,500
$12,100–24,100
Manufacturer
West End Watch Co.
Year
Circa 1900
Movement No
153'088
Case No
G1428 54
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Manual
Dimensions
55mm diameter
Signed
Case signed W (West End Watch), dial signed
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Minute repeater with jaquemart automata
West End Watch Company, a prominent manufacturer and distributor of watches worldwide since 1886 based in Leytron, Switzerland, served as a vital conduit for Swiss pocket watches destined for India. The first West End Watches are produced by Alcide Droz & Sons and distributed in the Indian market. Most of the Indian railway companies are equipped with West End watches and clocks to help synchronizing what is, till today, the world’s longest rail network.
The present richly decorated minute repeating automato is a striking example of the highly ornamental timepieces produced during the late 19th century. Its lavishly embellished gold case combines blue enamel with elaborate painted and applied floral decoration, further set with diamonds, demantoid and rubies.
The green enamel dial reveals an elaborate composition of winged figures, musical instruments and floral elements. Once the repeating mechanism is triggered the cherub on the right moves to strike the gong for hours, the angel on the left strikes the gong for minutes and together they strike the quarters.
The back features a finely painted enamel scene depicting an elephant carrying a tiger and accompanied by hunters, an exotic subject characteristic of the fascination with India and the wider Orient that permeated European decorative arts of the period.
- Minute repeater with jaquemart automata
West End Watch Company, a prominent manufacturer and distributor of watches worldwide since 1886 based in Leytron, Switzerland, served as a vital conduit for Swiss pocket watches destined for India. The first West End Watches are produced by Alcide Droz & Sons and distributed in the Indian market. Most of the Indian railway companies are equipped with West End watches and clocks to help synchronizing what is, till today, the world’s longest rail network.
The present richly decorated minute repeating automato is a striking example of the highly ornamental timepieces produced during the late 19th century. Its lavishly embellished gold case combines blue enamel with elaborate painted and applied floral decoration, further set with diamonds, demantoid and rubies.
The green enamel dial reveals an elaborate composition of winged figures, musical instruments and floral elements. Once the repeating mechanism is triggered the cherub on the right moves to strike the gong for hours, the angel on the left strikes the gong for minutes and together they strike the quarters.
The back features a finely painted enamel scene depicting an elephant carrying a tiger and accompanied by hunters, an exotic subject characteristic of the fascination with India and the wider Orient that permeated European decorative arts of the period.