52,900 CHF
Rieussec Hger. du Roi à Paris No. 1746, circa 1800. Extraordinary, 18 ct. gold and enamel, half-ten minute-repeating watch with special escapement. Three body massive "Empire" by Tavernier ( master marks), the band with blue and black champlevé enamel trellis pattern decoration, the back finely chased in low relief centered with a taille-douce engraved and champlevé enamelled allegory of the Flight of Time with Apollo and Diana, bordered by the 12 signs of the Zodiac . Hinged gilt brass cuvette. Gold engine-turned and matted with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Gilt brass with skeletonized and partly engraved bridges, free-standing barrel, 23 saphire jewels, Robin detent lever escapement with a roller engaging the fork of the lever, plain three arm brass balance, flat balance spring with Breguet type compensation curb. Repeating on gongs with push-pendant. Signed on the dial, movement and case. In very good condition. Diam. 59 mm. Notes Rieussec is best known for the invention of the inking chronograph, a good example of which is also included in this auction. Clearly, this watch is something of a masterpiece, as it is exceptionally jewelled and repeats the time to ten minutes with an additional blow for the five minutes, a system which is virtually unknown in French horology.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-10-20
