Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 55

"Abelard and Heloise" Ilbery, London, No.6664, the enamel attributed to Hess, Geneva. Made for the Oriental market, circa 1820. Very fine and rare, 18K gold, pearl and painted on enamel pocket watch with duplex escapement.

CHF 33,000 - 43,000

EUR 20,000 - 28,000 / USD 27,000 - 35,000

Sold: CHF 41,400

C. Three-body, "Empire", the bezel, stem and bow set with split-pearls, hinged and sprung back cover with split-pearl border, dark blue guilloche enamel and engraved gold border, the shield-shaped central panel finely painted with a scene of Abelard and Heloise, he with a bow and hunting horn. Hinged and sprung gold cuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals and outer minute track, fleur-de-lys quarter hour markers, large subsidiary seconds. Gold concave hands. M. Gilt "Chinese" caliber, foliate chased and engraved, hanging barrel, duplex escapement, polished steel five-arm balance, blued steel flat balance spring, diamond endstone, index regulator. Movement signed. Diam. 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-6

Good

Slightly oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Little is known about the enamel painter Hess who is recorded at 42, Allemands ? Dessous, Geneva, in 1828. (see the ?Dictionnaire des horlogers genevois?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, 1998). His work is of extremely high quality and it is likely that his unsigned work has often been mistaken for the work of Jean-Louis Richter. The large almond shaped eyes of the subjects seem to be an identifying feature of his work. A fine watch for the Chinese market, the enamel signed by Hess was sold by Antiquorum, Hong Kong, 9th & 10th July 2005, Lot 366. The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum Geneva, on June 10, 1997, lot 417.