Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 421

Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1820.Very fine and extremely rare, very small, 18K gold à tact pendant watch, entire movement weighing 9.9 grams.

CHF 17,000 - 21,000

EUR 11,000 - 14,000

Sold: CHF 17,250

C. Two-body, "Empire", engine-turned back with silver à tact hand, front engine-turned in a sunburst pattern, small aperture for the dial, 12 gold touch knobs on the reeded band. D. Gold, engine-turned with small Roman chapter ring and outer minute track, winding aperture outside 2 o'clock. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 26 mm. (11 1/2'''), early bridge caliber, fixed barrel, jeweled cylinder escapement, three-arm plain brass balance with flat balance spring.Diam. 30 mm..


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The present watch is one of the smallest "à tact" watches from the period, and the smallest that we have ever seen.The "montre à tact" was invented to enable the wearer to check the time silently, unconspicuously, and in the dark-- at the theater or at a concert, for example.