46,000 CHF
J. Baillon, Paris, No. 3038, circa 1775. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel ring watch, entirely diamond-set, in original lizard fitted box. Circular top with diamond-set hinged bezel, band decorated with green, red and white champlevé enamel in foliate pattern, bottom with champlevé enameled initials, diamond-set shank extending at the top. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute track, winding aperture at 10 o’clock. Blued steel "beetle and poker" hands. 15 mm. (7’’’), hinged, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance with flat balance spring, continental cock. Signed on the movement. Dim. Height 27 mm., width 23 mm. Notes Baillon, Jean Baptiste III Albert (d. 1772) Was received Valet de Chambre –Horloger Ordinaire de la Reine in 1727, Premier Valet de Chambre de la Reine (before 1748), then Premier Valet de Chambre and Valet de Chambre-Horloger Ordinaire de la Dauphine Marie-Antoinette in 1770. He was established in the Place Dauphine in 1738 and the rue Dauphine after 1751. Jean-Baptiste III Baillon was one of the most important clockmakers of the 18th century, in terms of the extent of his business, and an extremely wealthy man. Berthoud described his establishment as: "the finest and richest Clock Shop" and said that his house in Saint-Germain was "a kind of Factory. It is full of Workmen continually laboring for him… for he alone makes a large proportion of the Clocks and Watches (of Paris
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-10-19
