LECOULTRE, GENÈVE AND BAPST & FALIZE, PARIS | AN IMPRESSIVE AND VERY RARE GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER MINUTE REPEATING WATCH WITH TRIPLE CALENDAR, RETROGRADE DATE AND MOON PHASES, THE CASE BY BAPST & FALIZE, PARIS

• Movement: gilded, highly jewelled lever movement, wolf's tooth winding, bi-metallic compensation balance, snail-form precision regulation• Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, sector for retrograde date, three apertures for day, month and moon phases• Case: gold, repoussé covers chased and engraved in Renaissance style, the front with Chronos standing atop a globe, surrounded by three partially draped figures of the Fates: Lachesis, Atrophos and Chlotos holding skeins of wool with two pendant love trophies below, the back similarly decorated with Apollo and Diana, the back bezel engraved around its circumference 'qui temps a tout a PHP', the front bezel with repeated monogram PHP separated by stylised flowers, case back interior engraved with  the maker's mark BF a ring and a pearl drop flanked by a stylized motto Adamas Margarita, and further signed around the perimeter LeCoultre Horloger à Genève and Bapst & Falize Orfèvres à Paris

Movement: Fully wound and not running. Hand-setting adjusting correctly. Dial: Hairline within subsidiary seconds dial, otherwise dial appears to be in good overall condition. Case: Impressive case with some light rubbing and some slight loss of definition.
"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."

The case of this watch is likely the one illustrated in Henri Vever, French Jewellery of the Nineteenth Century, p. 988, 2001. The caption reads, "chased gold watch depicting ' the three Fates' on one side, and 'Apollo and Diana' on the other by Lucien Falize, chased by Oms (1882)." the case clearly demonstrates Lucien Falize's inspiration taken from classical Renaissance designs. Germain Bapst and Lucien Falize combined their two houses to form a collaboration between 1880-1892. Bapst were jewellers to the French crown and were known to have an impressive client base, while Falize brought his considerable design talent and business knowledge.  After working together for 12 years, the two dissolved their partnership in 1892. Bapst went on to pursue his interests in academia, while Falize continued to run the jewellery business.