Important Watches and Wristwatches

Hong Kong, Hotel Furama, May 28, 1989

LOT 254

Charpentier, Horloger de la Marine Impériale, Fournisseur de Notre Saint-Père le Pape, de S.M l' Impératrice et du Roi du Portugal, Paris, made for A.H. Rodanet, Constructeur de chronomètres pour la Marine de l'Etat, 36 rue Vivienne, Paris, circa 1860. Kuang Hsu.

Highly important and magnificent 18-carat gold and enamel hunting cased historical 'grande and petite sonnerie' minute repeating diamond set clock watch made for Alphonse XII (François d'Assise-Fernand- Pie-Jean-Marie-Grégoire-Pelage), King of Spain. In original ebony veneered fitted casket with an extra crystal dial and spare springs in a drawer, the gilt monogram and the Royal Crown applied on the lid, ' fleur de lys' on the corners. Massive four body 'bassine et filet' engraved case, the band with black 'champlevé' enamelled monograms and 'fleur de lys', the edges of the cover and the back with painted 'champlevé' enamelled coat of arms of all the families allied to the Bourbon Royal Family of Spain, over a black background. The cover is centred with the coat of arms of the Royal Family, framed by the 'champlevé' 'Toison d'Or' gold chain. The diamond inlaid monogram on the back is framed as well by the 'champlevé' gold chain of the ' Ordre de Malte', further chased 'fleur de lys' decoration. The diamond set Royal Crown on the pendant. Gold cuvette. White enamel dial with Roman numerals and off-set subsidiary seconds. Blued steel 'spade' hands. Gilt brass 19"' double train movement, 32 jewels, going barrels with differencial winding, equilibrated straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with gold screws, Breguet balance-spring. 'Grande and petite sonnerie', and minute repeating on two gongs released by a bolt on the band. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm.