4,025 CHF
Mysterieuse, Swiss, Brevete S. G.D.G., circa 1890. Rare and fine, early, keyless mystery watch. Three body, "bassine et filets", polished, glazed on both faces. Eccentric glass with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Polished steel "spade" hands. Silver engine-turned dial plates with foliage decoration. Gilt brass, croissant shaped, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three arm balance, flat balance spring. Signed on the dial plate. In very good condition. Diam. 54 mm. Notes Built on the principle invented by Robert-Houdin for clocks, this watch seems to work without any mechanical movement. In fact, driven by the croissant shaped movement concealed above the dial on the border, the hands are revolving with the glass plate set beneath the dial. Patented by Armand Schwob & Frere a Paris on the 24 January 1889, such watches were very popular toward the end of the 19th Century, quite a few were produced, but most are now in poor condition, for the glass dials are often broken.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1996-04-20
