Lot 358

Charpentier, Paris, 35 mm, 40 g, circa 1900
A lady's decorative quarter repeating pendant watch
Case: 18k gold, open-worked back lid with chased decor: foliage and a monogram over an opaque black enamelled gold dome, à goutte. Dial: enamel, radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds, spade hands. Movm.: bridge movement, frosted, gilt, signed, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, pink gold train, wolfteeth winding wheels, gold screw compensation balance, counterpoised lever.
A. Charpentier took over the business of Oudin Fils and continued using the signature "Charles Oudin à Paris, Horloger de L.L. M.M., l'Empereur et l'Impératrice de Russie". When the company exhibited at the 1862 International Exposition in London, Oudin-Charpentier published a "Catalogue of Chief Exhibits by Oudin-Charpentier, principal clockmaker to their Majesties The Queen and King of Spain and to the Imperial Navy". Oudin-Charpentier was also appointed made official watchmaker of the French Navy; a mosaic at No. 52 Place du Palais Royal, still shows his title as "Horloger de la Marine Nationale". Charpentier produced pieces of outstanding quality, which makes it even more surprising that we know so little about him and his life.