94th Auction
2016/11/12
Lot 339
Simon De Charmes, London, 49 mm, 116 g, circa 1715
A French pair-cased quarter repeating verge pocket watch in a rare 19k gold case
Case: outer case - 19k gold, florally engraved. Inner case - 19k gold, rear bell. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, 2 hammers, three-arm brass balance.
Simon des Charmes was a French Huguenot watchmaker born in 1665 in Langres. He was extremely talented and successful - the few timepieces by des Charmes that have survived until today are some of his finest works.
His parents died soon after he was born. Simon stayed in France until the Revocations of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, then, however, he followed the example of other Huguenot craftsmen and emigrated to London. In 1691 he gained his freedom from the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers; he became a wealthy man and moved to a grand house in Hammersmith. Des Charmes was married and had six children; he died in 1734 in Hammersmith at the age of 69.
A French pair-cased quarter repeating verge pocket watch in a rare 19k gold case
Case: outer case - 19k gold, florally engraved. Inner case - 19k gold, rear bell. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, 2 hammers, three-arm brass balance.
Simon des Charmes was a French Huguenot watchmaker born in 1665 in Langres. He was extremely talented and successful - the few timepieces by des Charmes that have survived until today are some of his finest works.
His parents died soon after he was born. Simon stayed in France until the Revocations of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, then, however, he followed the example of other Huguenot craftsmen and emigrated to London. In 1691 he gained his freedom from the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers; he became a wealthy man and moved to a grand house in Hammersmith. Des Charmes was married and had six children; he died in 1734 in Hammersmith at the age of 69.
Sold
estimated
2.200—3.000 €
Price realized
3.300 €