The van Cauwenbergh Collection
Hong Kong, Hotel Furama, May 29, 1989
Anonymous, Swiss, circa 1790.
Rare 18-carat gold and enamel 'Bras en l'air' watch. Double body massive case, the bezel and the edge of the back with 'champlevé' mottoes over a blue background: 'Et du bien et du mal, je marque les instants' and 'Je suis sans le vouloir entrainée par le temps', the back of translucent blue enamel over engine turning (restored). White enamel dial with an applied chiselled gold automaton gladiator, turning his head from left to right and lifting his arms by depressing the pendant in order to point the hours and minutes along two sectors on each side. Gilt brass full plate movement with conical pillars, fusee and chain, plain brass three armed balance, continental cock with steel endstone. In ood condition. Diam. 55 mm.