Lot 177

Geneva, 25 x 56 mm, 41 g, circa 1870
An exquisite diamond-set gold enamel pendant form watch with concealed dial designed as a beetle
Case: 18k gold and enamel, diamonds, rubies, glazed movement. Dial: enamel. Movm.: oval-shaped bridge movement, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance.
The spring-loaded wings are with translucent cobalt blue enamel over engine-turning and set with old cut diamonds. The champlevé style neck and pendant are decorated with black enamel and set with diamonds. The head and the hinged belly are realistically chased and engraved and the eyes are set with two cut rubies.
The condition of this scarab is exceptionally good. As these watches were worn as pendants and the opening wings subjected to wear and tear all the time, it is very unusual to find a piece where the enamel has not been restored.
An almost identical beetle is part of the permanent collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing and is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue page 295.