Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 52

J. Snelling, London, circa 1750. Very fine gold and enamel pair-cased quarter repeating watch.

CHF 20,000 - 22,000

C. Outer, double body pierced and engraved with foliage, vignettes on the bezel and back embossed in high relief and enamelled with flowers and four vignettes representing the four elements depicted by animals, the inset centre panel with birds and flowers on matted ground. haler, double body bassine, pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage and grotesque mask mark, «LW.» (John Ward) D. Late gold champlevé with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring, centre cartouche in reserve. Blued steel "poker and beetle" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with turned pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring and regulator, English gilt brass cock. Quarter repeating on a bell and "à toc" by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial, back plate and dust cap. In very good condition. Diam. 47 mm.


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Notes

Note: This form of enamelling in high relief on a white ground, is often attributed to the English goldsmith Alexander J. Strachant, but in fact he was only working from the latter part of the Regency period. This technique was rarely applied to watches during the 18th Century.