Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 326

Dürrstein & Cie, No. 13716, Swiss, circa 1890.Very fine and rare large 18K rose gold, keyless, large, minute-repeating astronomical watch with digital calendar and chronograph with 30-minute instan-taneous register.

CHF 38,000 - 45,000

EUR 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 34,500

C. Four-body, massive, Louis XVI, polished, gold hinged cuvette over glazed gold bezel for viewing the movement. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outermost chronograph track with five-minute/seconds red Arabic markers, apertures for days of the week, date, month and phases of the moon concentric with subsidiary seconds, winding indicator at 12 o'clock. Gold "Louis XV" hands. M. 51 mm. (22 1/2'''), frosted gilt, 34 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallicompensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, "swan-neck" micrometric regulator, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band.Punched with Dürrstein's mark inside back cover.Diam. 66 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

This is a very fine example of the "Jugenstil", the German name for the Art Nouveau style.Johannes Dürrstein(born 1845 in Frankfurt/Main - May 7, 1901) was one of the most significant figures in German horology. He was apprenticed to Ludwig & Fries, then became a salesman for a Swiss factory. He and his brother Friedrich established a retailing business in Dresden in 1874. From these humble beginnings, the Dürrsteins established what would become the largest German watch business, trading with Swiss watches as well as with Lange products.