21,850 CHF
The Adoration of the MagiPainted on enamel case probably German, circa 1670, movement by John Pyke, London, circa 1750. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel watch. White enamel, radial Roman chapters, outer minute ring with five minute Arabic numerals. "Louis XV" hands. Notes Previously in the Lord Sandberg Collection, sold in Geneva, March 31, 2001, lot 255.It was a common practice in the 18th century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collections.Several years ago, Jean-Claude Sabrier, researching the records of Ferdinand Berthoud, came upon an order from a Monsieur Muchain in 1789 for a movement specially made for his old enamel case. Berthoud made a movement in 1789 (No. 2358). This conclusively proved that old enamel cases were held in such high esteem as to warrant an expense of a movement custom made for them.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-11-16
