97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 419

(Charles) Cabrier, London, Movement No. 610, 54 mm, 143 g, circa 1760
An exceptionally fine gold enamel 7½ minute repeating verge pocket watch in a shagreen covered case
Case: outer case - brass, applied shagreen with stud decoration. Inner case - gold, enamel, rubies, rear bell. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, 2 hammers, three-arm steel balance.
The appearance of the watch is striking— the outer case, on its own, is quite splendid, consisting of shaped panels of enamel set in gold, among which are interspersed reserves of gold, pierced and engraved in foliate fashion. The firegilt movement is decorated with pierced ornaments and has a finely executed balance cock with a mascaron "goût étrusque".
Baillie mentions Charles Cabrier II as a "famous maker", Britten calls him a "celebrated maker".
Charles Cabrier's father (a French watchmaker who emigrated to England after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes) and his son - Charles Cabrier I and III - were both reputed makers as well. Cabrier himself began his apprenticeship in 1719, was a member of the Clockmakers' Company from 1726 on and a master from 1757 until 1772. Until 1759 he had a workshop in 79 Broad Street, near Finsbury Circus; he then moved to Pig Street - which does not exist anymore - near Threadneedle Street. The watch we have here may have been a joint effort by Charles Cabrier II and his son.

estimated
10.50014.000 €
Price realized
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