318. Swiss
An exceptional and extremely rare pink gold,
enamel and pearl-set quarter repeating openface
watch made for the Chinese Market
瑞士，極罕有，紅金及琺瑯鑲珍珠，兩問懷錶，為中國市場製造，1810年製
Manufacturer
Year
Swiss
1810
Movement No. 1’137
Material
Pink gold, enamel
and pearls
Dimensions
55 mm. diameter
Signed
Movement numbered
Estimate
HKD 350,000-650,000
USD 44,000-82,000
HK WATCHES_NOV15_420-575_bl_CS5.indd 472
Museum quality is the only fair
assessment one can use to describe
this lavishly decorated, yet complicated
watch. The superb quality of the
scalloped case, pearl setting and the
spectacular craftsmanship of the
enamel decoration illustrates perfectly
some of Geneva’s most talented case
makers and enamellists of the late 18th
and early 19th century. The movement
has been preserved in exceptional
condition further distinguishing this
outstanding enamel.
In the early 18th century demand for
European watches by wealthy Chinese
collectors began to grow significantly
and it was during this period that
watches were made specifically for the
Chinese market. In the 19th Century,
watches were crafted with elegant
enamel portraits, pearl-set cases and
in some instances highly engraved
movements, sometimes fitted with
duplex escapements.
Seldom do watches survive in such
condition and one can only assume
this watch has been sleeping
away for a very long time. Highly
attractive, of museum quality and
made specifically for the Chinese
market interest will ignite from as
far as the East to the West.
22/10/15 11:40