Austrian / Swiss

A silver, enamel and rock crystal watch with swiss movement byJj. F. Bautte & Cie. Circa 1845

No reserve

Reserves

Lot Closed

September 16, 04:02 PM GMT

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property from the Masterworks of Time Collection

Austrian / Swiss

A silver, enamel and rock crystal watch with swiss movement byJj. F. Bautte & Cie.

Circa 1845

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, plain flat three-arm balance, decoratively pierced and engraved balance bridge, brass regulation plate, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed J. F. Bautte et Cie, à Genève, no.48491

• Dial: champlevé enamel dial of green, blue and white enamel, gilded roundels carrying black Roman numerals, the surround pierced with foliate scrolls and heightened with translucent blue, red, turquoise, green, black and yellow enamels

• Case: rock crystal, bezels and pendant further decorated with vari-colour enamels

width 40.5mm, length including pendant and bow 62mm

J. F. Bautte & Cie. was formed in 1837 following the death of Jean François Bautte, however, the style of movement in the present watch would suggest an earlier date and it is therefore likely that this watch incorporates an 'old stock', previously unfinished movement. During the 19th century, decorative cases such as these reflected a growing enthusiasm and demand for collectible 17th century watches, this resulted in the production of new watches made in 17th century-style. While some such watches were made to deceive, others, such as the present watch, were clearly meant to provide wider access to a style of watch that was otherwise largely unobtainable. During the 19th century, Vienna was a well-known centre for the production of such decorative watch cases.