Property from the Masterworks of Time Collection
Ferdinand Verger
A hexagonal gold and enamel keyless lever dress watch, Circa 1910, NO. 6448
No reserve
Lot Closed
February 10, 04:02 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property from the Masterworks of Time Collection
Ferdinand Verger
A hexagonal gold and enamel keyless lever dress watch
CIRCA 1910, NO. 6448
• Movement: damascened nickel, lever escapement, 18 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, signed Verger France
• Dial: ivory, with male and female classical figures painted en grisaille carrying a sacrificial sheep, a goat at their feet
• Case: 18ct gold hexagonal, black enamel bezel painted in Limoges-style with signs of the zodiac, plain suspension ring, crown decorated with black enamel, case and movement ring numbered 6448, case stamped FV for Ferdinand Verger and further signed Verger France
width 51.5mm
Founded by the jeweller and watchmaker Ferdinand Verger (1851-1928), the house of Verger was one of the most creative of the Art Deco period. Early pieces, such as the present watch, are stamped FV for Ferdinand Verger. In 1911, shortly after Ferdinand's sons George and Henri joined the firm, Verger's mark changed to VF for Verger Frères (c.1911).
Verger is particularly well-known for its close association with Vacheron Constantin, a relationship which began upon Ferdinand's appointment as the Swiss watchmaker's agent in 1879 and continued for over half a century. Although not signed by Vacheron Constantin, an almost identical watch to the present piece, with similar classical figures and zodiacal figures to the bezel, is photographed in the Vacheron Constantin Archives and can be found reproduced in Carole Lambelet and Lorette Coen's book, The World of Vacheron Constantin, p. 312.
Verger Frères used a wide variety of materials to create their exceptional cases, including hard stones, corals, onyx, gem stones and pearls. Watch cases were frequently made in unusual shapes, often in combinations of yellow and white gold and occasionally incorporating features such as shutters or grills.