Important Watches, Wristwatches and c...

Geneva, Apr 20, 1996

LOT 14

Bruneau, eleve de Motel, Palais Royal (Paris), No. 150, circa 1830. Fine 18 ct. gold hunting cased, quarter repeating watch.

CHF 2,500 - 3,000

C. Four body engine-turned with reeded band, bezels pendant and bow with cast floral decoration. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. D. Silver engine-turned with Roman numerals. Gold Breguet hands. M. 17"' gilt brass, 12 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with "parachute" suspension, flat balance spring and bimetallic compensation curb on the index. Repeating on gongs with pull-twist piston through the pendant. Signed on the cuvette. In very good condition. Diam. 48 mm.

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Notes

Henri Motel, the eminent chronometer maker, pupil of Louis Berthoud, had two pupils: his nephew Onesime Dumas and Bruneau who was the only one to sign with the mention: Eleve de Motel. Very little is known about Bruneau, not even the period when he was working in the Motel's workshop. The only other watch known to exist, bearing his signature, is a very fine silver pocket chronometer, very similar to those produced by Motel between 1825 and 1840.