Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 59

?The Story of Zeus? Cugnier Leschot, Geneve. Made circa 1820. Fine, rare and unusual 18K gold quarter repeating skeletonized pocket watch with multicoloured gold automaton.

CHF 6,000 - 8,000

EUR 4,000 - 5,000 / USD 5,000 - 6,500

Sold: CHF 10,580

C. Four-body, ?Directoire?, polished with reeded band, glazed gilt rimmed hinged cuvette with engraved laurel-leaf border. D. White enamel annular chapter ring, Breguet numerals, outer minute ring, the glazed centre skeletonized and with a very finely chased multicoloured gold scene of a crowned Zeus sitting astride an eagle and holding a sceptre and the world, flanked by Pan and Procyon appearing to strike with hammers, an Arcadian landscape with a sheep below. Blued steel ?snake? hands. M. 51 mm., frosted gilt skeletonized full-plate, cylinder escapement three-arm plain brass balance, flat balance spring, steel two-foot skeletonized cock with ruby endstone, index regulator, repeating work set on the back plate, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Dial and movement signed. Diam. 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-12-01

Good

Worn

HANDS Original

Notes

The highly unusual scene portrayed on the present watch depicts Zeus as the King of the gods, Pan is shown to the right with his pipes, to the left is a dog from Greek mythology, Maera, who, by his prolonged howling, directed Erigone to the spot where her father, Icarius, had been murdered. Maera was placed among the stars by Zeus, where he was known as Procyon ('little dog') or Icarius Canis.