Important Collectors Wristwatches Po...
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995
LOT 21
Jonathan Puller, London, circa 1685. Very rare and fine 22 ct. gold pair-cased early balance spring watch.
CHF 100,000 - 110,000
C. Outer two body of finely worked gold wire filigree floral patterns enhanced with small gold studs. Inner double body, bassine, polished with split bezel. D. Gold champlevé with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Arrow pattern blued steel hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with pierced tulip pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, shot early flat balance spring. Signed on the back plate. h1 excellent condition. Diam. 48 mm.
Notes
Provenance: Formerly in the Stemberger
Collection, subsequently in the Courtney Ilbert
Collection and sold by Sotheby's, London, 20
October 1963, Lot 70.
Exhibited: The Heritage Exhibition, London, 1952,
cat. No. 277.
hlternational Art Treasures Exhibition, London,
1962, cat No. 402, p.50.
Note: English watches in filigree cases are
particularly rare, and this example is of much
larger diameter than usual regardless of origin. It is
also an early use of the balance spring, and it is
notable that the English were generally quicker to
apply a minute hand to such watches than their
counterparts on the Continent.