Important Watches, Pocket Watches and...

Noga Hilton Hotel, Nov 13, 2005

LOT 191

?Foliage and Scrolls? Abraham Louis Morant, Berne, circa 1680. Fine and rare, small, silver hour- and half hour-striking, pre-balance spring single-hand coach watch.

CHF 6,000 - 10,000

EUR 4,000 - 6,500 / USD 4,700 - 8,000

Sold: CHF 6,900

C. Two-body, "bassine" with deep back, band pierced and engraved with inhabited scrolling foliage and centered by two griffin heads beneath a coronet, two shutters for winding apertures. D. White enamel, large radial Roman numerals, inner half hour indications. Blued steel single "poker" hand. M. 57 mm., hinged, gilt brass, entirely engraved full plate with baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance with flat balance spring (converted), single-footed cock, count wheel on the back plate, worm gear mainspring set up with engraved tension scale. Signed on the movement. Diam. 70 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-7

Good

Oxidized
Movement: 3-18-6*

Good

Spotted

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-14-41-05

Good

Damaged

HANDS Luminous material reapplied

Notes

Berne, a well known watchmaking center from the 17th century, specializing in clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks, and night clocks. Watches and coach watches such as the present lot were much more rarely made. This watch, like many good watches from the period, was upgraded after the 1675 invention of the balance spring by Huygens. At the same time as this improvement was made, the original silver dial was also replaced by an enamel dial in the French "oignon" style, which was easier to read and extremely popular at the time.