Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 28

GOLD GRANULATION-DECORATED & TURQUOISE WATCH Bautte & Moynier à Genève, No. 40626. Made circa 1830. Very fine and rare, granulation-decorated 18K gold and turquoise-set watch.

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

USD 4,500 - 6,500 / EUR 3,300 - 5,000

C. Two-body, "bassine", profusely decorated with applied gold foliage set with turquoises in granulation decorated collets, bezel, pendant and bow decorated to match. D. Gold, matte engine-turned and engraved, champlevé radial Roman numerals, outer minute track. Gold Breguet hands. M. 35 mm, frosted gilt, fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, three-arm brass balance with fl at balance spring, pierced and engraved continental cock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial. Movement signed. Dim. 40 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is a particularly fi ne example of the granulation technique of decoration, and has been preserved in good condition. Granulation, a technique using tiny beads of gold, was employed - and probably invented - by the ancient Etruscans, who created jewelry which was highly sought-after throughout the Mediterranean. Most watches using this method employed a technique in which ready-to-apply gold beads were soldered onto the surface, thereby forming the desired pattern.