Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 77

?Family Portraits? Mottu, Geneva, No. 39722. Made circa 1880. Very fine and important, 18K gold hunting-cased keyless pocket watch bearing 5 painted on enamel miniatures. To be sold without reserve.

CHF 18,000 - 25,000

EUR 12,000 - 16,000 / USD 15,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 41,400

C. Four-body, ?bassine et filets?, back cover with polychrome enameled coat-of-arms and the motto ?In Gott Allein?, front with champlevé initials, inside three miniatures painted on enamel ? inside back cover and on the gold hinged cuvette two girls, inside front cover portrait of a lady, all with engraved frames. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel ?spade? hands. M. 41.5 mm. (18???), frosted gilt, 19 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, wolf-tooth winding wheels. Movement signed and numbered under the dial. Diam. 54 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Three of the painted on enamel portraits are easily viewed; it is said that these are the legitimate wife and daughters of the owner. The two portraits contained in the concealed compartment within the back cover are said to be be those of the owner?s mistress and illegitimate daughter. The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum Geneva in November 2001.