50,600 CHF
Genevan, probably Abraham Arlaud I, made for the Islamic market, circa 1660. Very fine and rare oval gold, gilt brass and enamel single-hand pendant watch. Notes It is clear this watch was made in Geneva. There are several indications of this: first, the extreme sophistication of the movement, for which Genevese watchmakers were famous; secondly, the movement features elements common to other Genevese watches, very unusual pillars and a typical manner of finishing the wheels and the fusee, as well as the characteristic shape of the cock. These same elements can be seen in lot 256 made by Isaac Perrot and lot 264, made by Jean and Jacques Rousseau.The watch, though it is clearly intended for the Islamic market, does not, however, show the classic features of Turkish watches. It was therefore probably intended for a wider audience, that is, the area between Turkistan and Industan- this can be seen, among other things, by the choice of colours used for the dial decoration, typical of Moghul art of the 16th, 17th, and 18th century, as well as the Farsi iconography of the dial.An almost identical watch, signed by Arlaud, and also made for the Islamic market, is in the Musée International de l'horlogerie, Château des Monts, La Chaux-de-Fonds, inv. No. 1-555.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-03-31
