97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 556

International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, "IWC" / Ernst Fuchs, Movement No. 2341760, Case No. 2300534, Ref. 5420, Cal. 982F, 56 mm, 152 g, circa 1983
A Schaffhausen hunting case pocket watch, Scarabaeus-Fuchs No. 44/5000 in mint condition; case decoration after designs by the famous artist Prof. Ernst Fuchs of Vienna - with wooden case, copy of the test certificate, copy of the IWC warranty, copies of journals, two booklets and paperwork
Case: silver, gilt, dedication engraving, glazed movement. Dial: gilt. Movm.: bridge movement, Glucydur screw balance.
The front of the case shows a swirling pattern symbolising day and sunlight; in the centre sits a scarab beetle, a creature of the day that faces the sun ("The scarab beetle has the iridescent colours of a rainbow. It shows the spectral composition of sunlight", Prof. Fuchs). The back is decorated with a central embossed face surrounded by stylised stars, symbolising night ("The reverse side is the opposite of the scarab: the night. It is the light of the stars and the reflected light of the moon, of the dead stars", Prof. Fuchs). The dial is a carved face of the sun framed by a chapter ring with engraved Arabic numerals. The exquisite movement exhibits elaborately hand-engraved gilt bridges decorated with swirls.
Ernst Fuchs (1930-2015) was an Austrian painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, architect, stage designer, composer, poet, singer and one of the founders of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism.

Sold

estimated
1.8003.000 €
Price realized
2.900 €