97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 219

Jack Watch Factory / LeCoultre, Case No. 501292, 34 mm, 38 g, circa 1900
A decorative, small quarter repeating gold enamel hunting case pocket watch studded with half-pearls for the Chinese market
Case: 14k gold, glazed movement . Dial: enamel. Movm.: bridge movement, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, gold screw compensation balance.
The front lid of this exquisite gold enamel hunter watch is decorated with the polychrome enamel portrait of a lady in period costume, the back lid shows a round medallion with a painted alpine lake scene; both with translucent blue enamel over an engine-turned background. The borders on front and back are studded with half pearls; the band is ornamented with black meander.
On December 4, 2012 the "sister watch" was sold at Sotheby's in New York for USD 15,000,-
Watches produced in pairs for the Chinese Market as a symbol of cosmic wholeness
Imperial China was at its height in the 18th century. Europe recognized the burgeoning financial power in the Chinese society and, in addition to exporting the high value Swiss timepieces, the companies began to open their own branches in China. To ensure that contemporary tastes were met and cultural demands of the time satisfied, the preferences of the "new" clientele were carefully investigated. The Chinese penchant for symmetry and dual existence were taken into consideration. The existence of pairs in all aspects of life also symbolizes cosmic wholeness.
The Chinese ideals were implemented and watches were produced in pairs; British makers arranged them symmetrically while the Swiss favoured an assymetric order and marked both of the watches with the same number.

Sold

estimated
8.50012.000 €
Price realized
9.300 €