93rd Auction
2016/5/14
Lot 490
Attributed to Louis Elysée Piguet, Le Locle, Case No. 2086, 64 mm, 271 g, circa 1900
An important, large and very heavy minute repeating "Grande Complication" with perpetual calendar, moon phase, split seconds chronograph, 30 min. counter and "Carillon" quarter repeating mechanism "Grande Sonnerie" - original box
Case: 18k gold, case maker's punch mark 'J&Co.', glazed movement. Dial: enamel, 7-part. Movm.: bridge movement, 3 hammers / 3 gongs, Patent No. 6835, gold screw compensation balance.
This Grande Complication has an impressive weight of 271 g and a diameter of 64 mm; it is over 25 mm high. The condition of the case, the dial and the movement is excellent and the quality of the perfectly mirror-polished and bevelled steel levers is outstanding. The two barrels are wound through a racking bar. For the minute repeater and the quarter hour strike 'Grande Sonnerie' the hammers strike on three different gongs and produce the so-called carillon sound. This is a rare and sophisticated detail even for a 'Grande Complication'; the mechanism was constructed after a patent by César Racine, who specialised in this type of complication and was awarded a Médaille d'Or for it at the Exposition Nationale Suisse in 1896.
The impressive mahogany case is covered with silver leaf and has a sophisticated hidden mechanism with an inclined plane, which permits the wearer to activate the repeater by pressing a fine enamel painting of a huntsman with hounds on the outside – which in turn applies pressure on the side pusher of the watch. This means that the repeater could be activated at any time, even when the case was closed – a very practical aspect during the night!
This extremely rare and marvellous piece has been in the property of a family until now and has never before been presented at an auction.
An important, large and very heavy minute repeating "Grande Complication" with perpetual calendar, moon phase, split seconds chronograph, 30 min. counter and "Carillon" quarter repeating mechanism "Grande Sonnerie" - original box
Case: 18k gold, case maker's punch mark 'J&Co.', glazed movement. Dial: enamel, 7-part. Movm.: bridge movement, 3 hammers / 3 gongs, Patent No. 6835, gold screw compensation balance.
This Grande Complication has an impressive weight of 271 g and a diameter of 64 mm; it is over 25 mm high. The condition of the case, the dial and the movement is excellent and the quality of the perfectly mirror-polished and bevelled steel levers is outstanding. The two barrels are wound through a racking bar. For the minute repeater and the quarter hour strike 'Grande Sonnerie' the hammers strike on three different gongs and produce the so-called carillon sound. This is a rare and sophisticated detail even for a 'Grande Complication'; the mechanism was constructed after a patent by César Racine, who specialised in this type of complication and was awarded a Médaille d'Or for it at the Exposition Nationale Suisse in 1896.
The impressive mahogany case is covered with silver leaf and has a sophisticated hidden mechanism with an inclined plane, which permits the wearer to activate the repeater by pressing a fine enamel painting of a huntsman with hounds on the outside – which in turn applies pressure on the side pusher of the watch. This means that the repeater could be activated at any time, even when the case was closed – a very practical aspect during the night!
This extremely rare and marvellous piece has been in the property of a family until now and has never before been presented at an auction.
Sold
estimated
100.000—150.000 €
Price realized
99.200 €