The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 258

The Judgement of ParisPainted on enamel case probably Augsburg, circa 1670, movement by Vaucher a Paris, circa 1770.Very fine and rare 20 ct. gold and enamel pendant watch.

CHF 12,000 - 16,000

USD 7,000 - 9,500

Sold: CHF 11,500

C. Two-body, 'bassine' with turned-in edges, the back very finely painted on enamel depicting the Judgement of Paris. Paris, dressed as a shepherd, is passing the apple to Venus, who is accompanied by Cupid, to her right stands Juno with two peacocks behind her, to her left is Minerva. On the inside, painted in dark purple on an azure ground, a scene with ruins and a horse with a tree in the foreground. D. White enamel, radial Roman chapters, outer minute dot divisions and five-minute Arabic numrals. Gold 'Louis XV' hands. M. Hinged, gilt brass full plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain for the going train, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, blued-steel balance spring, continental cock pierced and engraved , rack and pinion regulator withsilver plate.Signed on the dial and movement.Diam. 35 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 92-93.

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Image

Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3 - 6 - 18
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

The Judgement of ParisJuno, Minerva and Venus were in competition for the golden apple thrown by Eris (Discord) at the wedding feast of Thetis and Peleus; the apple bore the words 'for the most beautiful'. Each of the goddesses desired that the apple be given to her. Jupiter designated Paris, son of the Trojan King of Troy, as the judge. Each of the goddesses tried to influence him by promising him a present - Minerva promised wisdom, Juno, power, and Venus, the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris gave the appleto Venus.VaucherMaster in 1767, is listed as having been active in Paris, rue St Pierre aux Boeufs between 1769 and 1790.It was a common practice in the eighteenth century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collectionsSee lots 264 for a discussion of the replacement of movements in important 17th century cases.