Swiss

• gilt full plate cylinder movement,  gilt circular oscillating weight, dust ring •  the dial painted en grisaille depicting lady and a putto in a love garden flanking a white enamel meantime dial at 6 o'clock, regulator at 12 o'clock, the dial further enameled with the words Le Fems passe pse pse Comme ce fil entre mes doigts: bis: Il est a nous autant qu'au Roy:bis  the outer ring with seconds • monogrammed case

CASE Case worn overall. Some denting to the case back. CMC monogram to the back likely 19th century. DIAL Dial in very good condition. No visible cracks or hairlines. Inner center seconds hands sticks to time subdial center arbor. MOVEMENT The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. ***Please be advised that the bands on this watch are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) and thus not sold with the watch, they are for display purposes only. We will remove these bands prior to international shipping.***
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

There has been much debate over the origins of the self-winding watch. The Swiss maker A-L. Perrelet developed the first system in 1770, while around the same period, the Jaquet Droz developed another. However, it is through the followers of the Jaquet Droz that the most significant advancement in commercialization of the self-winding system occurred (see: Jean Claude Sabrier, The Self-Winding Watch pp.117, 161-191.) The present lot, though unsigned can be attributed to one of these followers. For similar examples see (Sabrier, p.166, figs.115 a, b, 116 a, b, and p, 172 figs.125a, b.) Another characteristic of the Swiss self-winding watches were their decorative enamel dials with center seconds and the hours and minute dial at 6 o’clock.  The script on the dial reads: 

"Le temps passe passe passe comme ce fil entre mes doigts: bis: il est à nous autant qu'au roi :bis", translating to "Time passes passes passes like a thread between my fingers, it belongs to us as much as to the king."  

This line comes from a comedy entitled "Les Moissonneurs," presented for the first time in 1768.  It reminds the viewer that time passes equally for everyone, no matter their station at birth.

The development of the self-winding watch was not exclusive to Switzerland. In England in 1780, Louis Recordon patented his design (see: Joseph Flores, Antiquarian Horology, autumn 1995). While in France Breguet developed his self-winding system around the same time as Recordon and his patent. Indeed, the earliest known self-winding watch signed by Breguet is numbered 1 and is dated AD 1781.