295,000 HKD
"The Swiss Guard" Gübelin, Lucerne, No. 58506. Made circa 1910. Very fine and extremely rare, 8-day going, silver-gilt, painted on enamel, ivory and agate mystery table clock. Off-white enamel chapter ring with pale blue radial Roman numerals, flowerhead half-hour and minute markers, Arabic five minute numerals, the center with a mirror to simulate water and a carved ivory swan, its beak indicating the hours, painted ivory figure of a Swiss guard standing on a central translucent blue guilloché enamel and white painted pedestal and holding a silver halberd indicating the minutes. 59 mm., frosted gilt, three-quarter plate, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with three adjustments, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Case and movement signed. Diam. 12.5 cm. Height 18 cm. Property of a Swiss Collector Notes This company began in 1854 as a family business run by Maurice Breitschmid in Lucerne, Switzerland. Gübelin. He first advertised as a watchmaker, and as business grew, Breitschmid brought on his son-in-law, Jacques- Edouard Gübelin, as a partner. Gübelin eventually took over the company. He introduced jeweled watches and jewelry to the business in 1921 at the opening of their New York branch, after collaborating with the jeweler Edmond Frisch. Gübelin also opened branches in St. Moritz, Zurich, Geneva, Berne, Lugano, and Basel. Gübelin’s sons eventually entered the family business; his eldest son, Dr. Edouar
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-11-25
