80,500 CHF
The Flight into EgyptGribelin, Paris, circa 1680, painting on enamel attributable to Robert Vauquer, circa 1660. Very fine and rare 22 ct. gold and enamel single-hand pendant watch without fusee. 36.4 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, turned vase pillars, going barrel for the four-wheel train, verge escapement, plain three-arm steel balance, blued-steel balance spring, rack and pinion, Tompion-type regulator, typical early single-footed pierced and engravedtrefoil cock.Signed on the movement.Diam. 45 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 100-101. Notes This is a typical example of a movement having been replaced, perhaps even by its original owner, to keep pace with the technological advance presented by the invention of the balance spring. The movement was conceived and constructed expressly for this case and dial. This is not without precedent; it is known that very fine cases were so treasured by their owners that the best watchmakers of the day were commissioned to make movements especially designed to fit into them. There are several docuented examples of magnificent Blois cases with later movements by Fromanteel, Webster, Leroux, Pyke, and Berthoud, and now Gribelin.The invention by Huygens in 1675 of the balance spring, with its consequent isochronism, met with a great deal of enthusiasm. Many fine watchmakers hoped that the regularity of the balance's oscillations might suffice to render the equalising function of the fusee unnecessary, thus lowering, amo Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-03-31
