Important Watches

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2298. An unusual yellow gold, enamel, paste and diamond-set openface keyless lever cabriolet watch, Made for the Indian market, Circa 1895.

Marcks & Co., Bombay & Poona

An unusual yellow gold, enamel, paste and diamond-set openface keyless lever cabriolet watch, Made for the Indian market, Circa 1895

Estimate

240,000 - 500,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

Marcks & Co., Bombay & Poona

An unusual yellow gold, enamel, paste and diamond-set openface keyless lever cabriolet watch, Made for the Indian market, Circa 1895

Dial: engraved silvered dial with three-colour gold raised foliage decorated centre

Calibre: gilt-finished three quarter plate lever movement, bimetallic compensation balance, screwed gold chatons, jewelled

Movement number: 34‘210

Case: 18k yellow gold, translucent green enamel on engine-turned background to the hinged case back, with centred paste and diamond-set foiled decoration, hinged cuvette with similar decoration, the whole inner case swivelling within the engine-turned case band frame, outer cases with champlevé enamel scroll decorated bezel

Case number: 34’210

Size: 55 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial, movement and cuvette

Accessories: none

The present pocket watch is distinguished by its magnificent and richly ornamented decoration. Created especially for the Indian market, the case features exquisite guilloché and champlevé enamel work and is set with more than 250 diamonds and paste stones.

Even more remarkable is the watch’s reversible construction. By pressing the button at 4 o’clock, the inner case can be rotated within the outer frame to reveal the reverse—a configuration commonly known as a cabriolet watch. Both the inner and outer cases are crafted to an exceptionally high standard, allowing the inner case to nest precisely and rotate smoothly within the outer frame. Combining technical ingenuity with elaborate decoration, the present watch is an unusual and finely executed timepiece.

Marcks & Co. was a noted watch retailer operating in Bombay and Poona during the late 19th century, supplying watches to Indian royalty and nobility, as well as to British officers. Its offerings ranged from simple time-only watches to highly complicated timepieces incorporating grande and petite sonnerie, repeating, chronograph, perpetual calendar and tourbillon mechanisms.

Marcks & Co., 孟買及浦那

獨特，黃金及琺瑯鑲料石及鑽石可翻轉懷錶，為印度市場而製，約1895年製

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.

Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.

Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.

"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."