Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 18, 1997

LOT 499

~anvier 1'Aine a Saint Claude, circa 1775. Extremely rare early "Capucine" type travelling clock with alarm and special escapement.

CHF 9,000 - 11,000

Sold: CHF 10,350

C. Brass rectangular, already designed as the popular early 19th century "capucines " , glazed side and back door, with four bun-feet, four turned finials the folding brass handle above the bell. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gilt brass "Louis XV " hands. M. Brass rectangular with fixed barrel and revolving arbor, virgule escapement visible on the back plate, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator. Pull wind alarm on the bell. Signed on the back plate. Dim. 19 x 7 x 6 cm, including the handle.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-9

Good

Scratched
Dial: 22-51

Later original

Partially reprinted

Notes

Janvier I'Aine a Saint Claude was the first signature of the eminent Amide Janvier, who left Saint Claude for Verdun in 1775. This clock with a very early virgule escapement, exhibited on the back plate, was certainly made when Janvier came hack from Paris, where he met the Icing for the first time. Invented by Lepine in 1770, the virgule escapement was certainly not known in Saint Claude, a long ti me before this clock was made Janvier might have fitted this clock with it virgule escapement in order to test it. Although it is very early, the design of this clock is almost that of the popular Capucine clocks, so popular in France all along the first part of the 19th century.