358. Swiss
A very fine and historically
interesting three color gold
and enamel quarter repeating
watch with jaquemarts and
enamel portrait of Napolean
Bonaparte with allegorical figures
representing victory and peace
瑞士，非常精細，三色金及琺瑯懷錶，
配二問、活動人偶，琺瑯上繪有拿破崙畫像
及象徵勝利與和平的人像，約1800年製
Manufacturer
Year
Swiss
Circa 1800
Material
Three color gold
and enamel
60 mm. diameter
Dimensions
Estimate
HKD 400,000-600,000
USD 50,000-75,000
This exceptional, and beautifully rendered,
polychrome open face watch with
Jaquermarts features a portrait of
Napoleon Bonaparte, flanked by two
allegories personifying Victory and Peace.
HK_WATCHES_MAY16_390-495.indd 435
According to our research, this
watch is dated around the time
Napoleon declared himself First
Consul, following the Coup of 18
Brumaire on November 9th 1799,
thus overthrowing The Directory.
During this time, Napoleon
famously cut his hair short, which
had deep symbolic implications –
it marked a change from Napoleon,
the Revolutionary, to Napoleon,
the calm and stable leader. Indeed,
coins from 1797 support the dating
of this pocket watch. On the coin
(see image below), Napoleon
is pictured in profile, with his
hair tied to the back. The coin
reads “FRANCE OWES HIM THE
VICTORY AND PEACE”, attesting
to Napoleon’s military prowess and
skill. It is likely that these coins
were used as propaganda tools to
stir support for the revolutionary
who led successful battles during
the French Revolutionary wars.
Flanking Napoleon are two
allegories of Victory and Peace,
the very two attributes inscribed
on the coin. The ladies don
Greco-Roman white muslin
garb which drape beautifully
over their bodies. During the
revolutionary years, neoclassical
depictions were considered
the highest form of virtue,
representing symbolic ideals
which French people aspired
to embody. According to our
research, the woman on the right
personifies Peace, with her dove
wings and a wreath. The woman
on the left personifies Victory,
with a garland wreath which
represented victory and triumph
in Greco-Roman culture.
These attributes present a very
compelling story, one which
highlights Napoleon’s skill
both as a victorious leader and
peacemaker. He is pictured as
a revolutionary, leading France
towards victory. The hour and
quarter repeating Jaquermarts
only reinforce this notion, singing
and chiming as to announce and
celebrate Napoleon’s arrival.
Coin of Napoleon,
France owes him the
victory and peace.
Bonaparte on the Bridge at Arcole,
Antoine-Jean Gros (1771-1835),
Palace of Versailles
22/04/16 16:54