102nd Auction

2020/6/29

Lot 269

Swiss, 30 x 20 mm, ring gauge 57, 11 g, circa 1820
A remarkable, oval shaped, skeletonized ring watch with visible balance and decorated with half pearls
Case: 22k rose gold, the bezel set with half pearls, engraved ring bar. Dial: skeletonized, eccentric dial with silver cartouches, Arabic hours, upper part with golden ring balance and ornamented steel balance bridge. Movm.: ultra-thin moulded movement, cylinder escapement, keywind.
Ring watches
Even as early as in the 16th century watchmakers were fascinated by the idea of fitting a watch into a ring – however, only a few of them managed such a feat. This did not change during the 19th century; any successful attempt to create a watch of this kind brought immediate fame to its maker, especially if the watch found a prominent buyer. It was probably James Widman's ring watch that was worn by the Duke of Mantua and Antoine Rojard’s fame based itself on Napoleon Bonaparte's watch – even the young John Arnold was able to present an exquisite ring watch to King George III of England; this immediately made him a celebrated watchmaker.

Sold

estimated
3.5007.000 €
Price realized
3.500 €