JEHAN CREMSDORFF, PARIS | A HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND MAGNIFICENT GOLD, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SET VERGE WATCHCIRCA 1650

• Movement: gilt full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved screwed-on balance cock, blued steel ratchet-wheel set-up and locking spring with pierced cock of similar pattern, baluster pillars, fusee and chain, signed Jehan Cremsdorff, Paris• Dial: white enamel chapter ring, Roman numerals, half-hour divisions set with diamonds, the turquoise centre depicting Temperance represented as a maiden pouring wine into a tazza, figurative scenes to the border, polished steel diamond-set hand • Case: enamelled in the manner of the Paris school combining techniques of champlevé, en relief and peinture en camaieu, the hinged cover decorated with black and white flowers in high relief against a pale turquoise background, highlighted with chased gold detail and set with diamonds, baguette diamond-set star pattern with diamond-set band and hinge, the band of the case decorated with flowers in a similar manner to the cover, the back cover encrusted with black and white flowers of asymmetric design in high relief, deeply chased gold pistils, ribbon-form enamel and diamond-set pendent, the case and dial depicting the Cardinal Virtues, inside of the cover painted en camaieu against a pale turquoise ground depicting Charity as a mother surrounded by three children, interior of the back showing Hope as a young woman standing beside an anchor Accompanied by an original steel, gold, enamel, and diamond-set crank key

Movement running at the time of cataloguing. Dial with a small area of restoration to the edge at 6 but overall in good condition. Exceptionally beautiful enamel case in amazing condition, some very small areas of restoration. The enamel to the crank key has been restored.
"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."