Your search for "key" in Watches / Jewellery returned: 36 hits - Cortrie Special-Auctions for Watches and Jewellery in Hamburg

Sold 292-4001 Pocket watch: rare miniature Lepine with engraved movement, Bautte Geneve 26mm, ca. 1830 Ca. Ø 26mm, ca. 11g, 18K gold, finely chased, dome signed, rare, magnificently engraved miniature movement with cylinder escapement and key winding (special key included), screw-mounted enamel dial, gold hands, movement intact. Hammerprice: 400 €
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Sold 292-4003 Pocket watch: Longines rarity, early hunting case pocket watch with key winding, Agassiz-Longines No. 5499, ca. 1870 Ca. Ø51mm, ca. 99g, original silver case, case and movement bear the same number 5499, dome and movement still bear the dual signature of Longines and Agassiz, signed enamel dial, delicate steel hands, the spring in the spring-loaded dome needs replacing, movement intact, a rarity, one of the earliest surviving Longines pocket watches, with box. Hammerprice: 872 €
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Sold 292-4005 Pocket watch/pendant watch: exceptional, rare cylinder watch by Gustav Sandoz, circa 1865 Round, richly decorated silver case without pendant, 2 eyelets for attaching the chain, ca. Ø50mm, ca. 100g, very solid case construction, inner case folds out, signed ‘Gustav Sandoz Horlogere de la Marine Paris’, distinctive winding/setting mechanism via hinged handles as an experimental alternative to key winding and a transitional variant preceding crown winding, cylinder escapement, signed enamel dial, metal hands, outstanding original condition, in working order, rare. Jacques ‘Gustave’ Sandoz was born on 11 September 1836 in Paris. He worked in the workshops of Lépine (taken over by Boulay in 1853), Paul Garnier and Breguet before establishing his own business on Rue de la Monnaie. From 1861, his workshop was located in the Passage Sainte-Anne. The Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers commissioned Sandoz to maintain its clocks and instruments. This appointment contributed significantly to his reputation. In 1865, Sandoz moved to the prestigious Palais Royal, numbers 147–148, very close to the firms of Boucheron and, later, Lalique. He also represented the firm of Jules-Frédéric Jürgensen. In 1882, he won second prize in the Geneva Observatory competition with one of his chronometers. A year later, he was awarded a gold medal in Amsterdam. Hammerprice: 900 €
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Sold 292-4027 Pocket watch: fine 18K anchor escapement watch with independent stop seconds, ‘Seconde Morte’, ca. 1850 Ca. Ø49mm, ca. 83g, 18K gold, coin rim, serial number 2197, early lever movement with 20 jewels and a distinctive anchor, 2 barrels for the movement and the jumping seconds, key-winding, enamel dial, filigree Breguet hands, movement intact, signs of wear on the bow. Hammerprice: 2.120 €
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Sold 292-4049 Pocket watch: one of the earliest known Jules Jürgensen pocket watches with a repeater, Jules Jürgensen Copenhagen No. 5933, ca. 1848 Approx. Ø49mm, approx. 88g, 18K gold, knurled middle section, à-goutte, dome signed and numbered, case and movement bear matching numbers, very fine, very early Jürgensen calibre with hour and quarter-hour repeater, key-winding, lever escapement, crown serves solely as a pusher to open the case and not for setting or winding, signed enamel dial, blued steel hands, very fine condition, in working order, one of the earliest known Jules Jürgensen pocket watches with a repeater. Hammerprice: 3.000 €
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292-4061 Pocket watch: rare calendar watch with visible balance wheel and rare original magnifying key, 60 mm!, ca. 1780 Ca. Ø60mm, ca. 145g, silver, verge movement with spiral bridge, visible through a window on the back, very rare enamelled dial with gold decoration, off-centre time display, date and day of the week, Breguet hands, in working order and well preserved, very rare original key with magnifying glass for easier reading of the calendar scales. The exceptional size of 60mm is also rare! now only: 1.800 €
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Sold 292-4069 Pocket watch: rare duplex watch for the Chinese market, 2 time zones & 2 jumping seconds, ca. 1850 Approx. Ø55.5 mm, approx. 110 g, silver, magnificently engraved, maker’s mark PM No. 1039, extremely rare calibre, possibly by Tixier, Chinese duplex escapement, 2 time zones and 2 jumping seconds, one as a small seconds hand, one as a center seconds hand, enamelled dial, steel hands, original silver key. Hammerprice: 1.800 €
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Sold 292-4081 Watch keys: an interesting collection of antique keys and pendants, many rarities, 18th & 19th centuries. 26 pieces, in gold, gilt and silver, including large ceremonial keys set with gemstones, a memento mori key with hair decoration, several enamelled examples – almost exclusively rarities. Hammerprice: 3.433 €
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292-4084 Fancy watch in the shape of a drum, enamelled, probably circa 1850 Ca. Ø36mm, silver, fully enamelled, lever movement with key winding, enamelled dial, steel hands, movement starts but requires cleaning, presumed original key. now only: 2.700 €
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Sold 292-4086 Small collection of gold verge watchkeys, ca. 1750–1850 10 keys, the smallest key ca. 30 mm long, the largest key ca. 80 mm long, total weight ca. 35 g, various designs, varying condition, including 2 keys with a stone inlay in the handle, one of which has a telescopic function, 1 highlight: a solid English key with decorations in green gold and pink gold, as well as a very early ratchet key with raised floral motifs; the handle is set with genuine emeralds and sapphires (extremely rare). Hammerprice: 800 €
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Sold 292-4087 Watch keys: an exceptional collection of very fine verge watch keys, ca. 1700–1820 37 pieces, predominantly rarities, including many gold keys, as well as large, very rare examples; also an extremely rare golden crank key, a key with a citrine pommel and turquoise inlay, 1 key with a built-in magnifying glass, a pistol-shaped key set with carnelian, a gold lyre-shaped key with a secret compartment/poison compartment, and an extremely rare. Hammerprice: 3.700 €
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Sold 292-4105 Pocket watch: attractive 18K gold/enamel hunting case pocket watch, Alphonse Humbert, Geneva, circa 1865 Ca. Ø41mm, ca. 57g, 18K gold, very fine savonnette case with 3 gold covers, engine-turned and beautifully enamelled, dome signed No. 28734, high-quality Geneva movement with special lever and key-winding, enamelled dial, delicate Breguet hands, well preserved, movement intact. Hammerprice: 1.500 €
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292-4135 Pocket watch: large gold Lepine with a rare ultra-flat Bagnolet calibre, Motta Frères, c. 1830 Ca. Ø45mm, ca. 41g, 18K gold, finest coin rim, magnificently chased on the reverse, à-goutte, dome signed No. 17050, Bagnolet with cylinder escapement and negative winding square, silvered dial, Breguet hands, with key!, it is rare for watches of this calibre to have a movement that is intact. now only: 2.400 €
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Sold 292-4165 Pocket watch: unique, early gold hunting case pocket watch with repeater, a rarity from the early days of Patek Philippe, Patek & Cie. No. 10296, Geneva ca. 1855, with presumably original box and original key Ca. Ø47mm, ca. 56g, 18K gold, magnificently engraved, very early savonnette case, spring lid featuring a finely chased depiction of a general in uniform, presumably the Polish national hero General Tadeusz Kościuszko; on the reverse, a highly detailed depiction of the general on horseback against a military scene in the background; dome signed and numbered, magnificently engraved with rocaille motifs, No. 10296, Case and movement bear the same number; exquisite early Patek Philippe lever movement with temperature compensation and shock protection; hour and quarter-hour repeater; a very beautiful enamelled dial and the finest Breguet gold hands; in working order and in a very fine state of preservation. The watch is housed in a box from the Türler firm in Zurich, which was presumably the seller. The box contains what is presumably the original cross-shaped gold key. The watch is a museum-quality collector’s piece and is one of the earliest known Patek Philippe hunting case pocket watches with a repeater, presumably made for a wealthy Polish client. At Antiquorum auctions in Geneva in 2004, another Patek Philippe hunting case pocket watch with a very similar case and extract from the archives was sold at auction. According to the register extract, the case depicted the scene ‘The Death of Poniatowski’ on one side and Tadeusz Kościuszko on horseback on the other. The watch achieved a record price for an early Patek pocket watch with a quarter-hour repeater. (Source: https://www.cortrie.de/go/Mnb). Hammerprice: 7.500 €
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Sold 292-4194 Pocket watch with gold/jasper/diamond case and matching original gold/jasper chain with key and seal, Falize Paris, ca. 1860 Ca. Ø26mm, ca. 17g, 18K gold, Lepine movement with a very fine coin rim, 9 bloodstone inlays and 24 diamonds on the reverse, No. 3371, dome signed, flat cylinder movement with key winding, screw-mounted enamelled dial, Breguet steel hands, movement intact and in good condition; accompanying very precious watch chain, also 18K gold, decorated with jasper beads, as are the T-piece, the original key and the original seal, weight ca. 35g. Hammerprice: 3.000 €
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292-4213 Pocket watch: an absolute rarity, verge watch circa 1750, steel and gold with chain, Terrot et Thuillier, Geneva Ca. 49 mm in diameter, high-relief case with a figurative scene, iron (steel) with gold inlays, exceptionally rare, signed verge movement, distinctive enamel and gold dial, gold hands, original chain with seal and key, movement intact. Only a few watches with this type of case were made around 1750, and only a very small number of these are known to exist and have survived to this day. now only: 4.000 €
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292-4230 Pendant watch: Extremely rare gold and enamel chatelaine watch ‘Etruscan Revival’, Mellerio dits Meller, Paris, c. 1870 Approx. 13 cm long, total weight ca. 68 g, 18K gold, chatelaine and case enamelled in the same style, set with diamonds and adorned with violet gemstones, Lepine case of outstanding quality, coin rim, approx. Ø 28 mm, serial number 11659, dome signed, bridgework with cylinder escapement, screw-mounted enamelled dial, fine Breguet hands, matching chatelaine in an exceptionally magnificent design, adorned not only with diamonds but also with 4 Oriental pearls, in completely original condition with matching seal and original key, Movement requires overhaul (winding), extremely rare in this design, known as the ‘Archaeological Revival’ from around 1870. François Mellerio was one of the most prominent Italian jewellers; he opened his business in Paris in 1801 and counted numerous European royal houses amongst his clients. now only: 5.000 €
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292-4261 Watch key: outstanding 18K ceremonial key ‘Cornucopia’ with citrine, ca. 1810 Approx. 70 mm long, ca. 31 g, exquisite craftsmanship in 18K gold, citrine set in a swivel mount, facetted on both sides. The cornucopia, or ‘horn of plenty’ in Latin, is a mythological symbol of good fortune. It is filled with flowers and fruit and represents fertility, wealth and abundance. now only: 1.000 €
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Sold 292-4262 Watch key: large golden verge watch key with 2 stone micro-mosaic pietra dura plates, c. 1800 Ca. 60 mm long, solid gold, very rare design featuring two swans, micromosaic on both sides, one side depicting a bird with a bee, the other side a view of a castle. Micromosaic keys are the greatest rarities amongst spindle watch keys, which is why such a key adorns both the front and back covers of the well-known reference book *Taschenuhrenschlüssel* by Kaltenböck/Schwank. Hammerprice: 1.500 €
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292-4263 Watch key: large gold ceremonial key with hair decoration, 1834 Ca. 67 mm long, gold, very fine hairline decoration on both sides under glass, depicting a feather and a broken flower as a mourning motif with the date 1834; on the other side, the initials in an oval cartouche; rarely found in such good condition, though the square section is damaged. now only: 1.200 €
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292-4264 Watch key: museum-quality ceremonial key with citrine, France, c. 1820 Approx. 70 mm long, 18-carat gold, sculpted depiction of two cornucopias, large citrine of ca. 50 ct, square steel shank, swivelling central section, excellent quality, excellent condition, museum-quality collector’s item. The cornucopia, or ‘cornucopia’ in Latin, is a mythological symbol of good fortune. It is filled with flowers and fruit and represents fertility, wealth and abundance. now only: 1.500 €
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Sold 292-4265 Watch key: unique relief splendour key in exceptional quality, probably France around 1820 Ca. 80mm long, 18K gold, impressive relief work in 3 different gold colours, fantastic quality, rotating middle part, set with a genuine large amethyst (natural inclusions), steel square. This key is an absolutely exceptional piece. It represents the highest quality of a splendour gold key from the time around 1820 and was certainly made for a very precious watch. Hammerprice: 1.900 €
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Sold 292-4266 Watch key: significant Directoire key (1795–1798) in multicoloured gold Approx. 78 x 47 mm, ca. 29 g, exceptionally solidly crafted in 18-carat green gold, yellow gold and pink gold; raised relief on both sides featuring flowers and leaves, as well as magnificent cornucopias; central section set with a citrine, swivelling and usable as a signet stone; unmarked and in superb condition. This specimen is one of the most elaborately crafted and highest-quality Directoire keys known to us. The key originates from one of the most significant collections of watch keys, parts of which are described and illustrated in the book *Les Clefs du temps*. Hammerprice: 2.300 €
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292-4289 Figurative watch/pendant watch: museum-quality, very fine, particularly large gold and enamel figurative watch set with diamonds, ‘Scarab’, probably Geneva, c. 1860 Ca. 64 mm long, ca. 41 g, 18-carat gold, red engine-turned enamel, magnificent diamond setting, extremely detailed depiction of the scarab, oval-shaped movement with cylinder escapement and key winding; the glazed frame for a memento between the case back and the dome is very rare; at the lower end, a miniature push-button for opening the wings, beneath which lies the perfectly preserved enamel dial, blued steel hands, in working order and in good condition; in terms of size and quality, one of the most valuable scarab-shaped clocks known to exist; the movement is running but urgently requires cleaning. now only: 8.000 €
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Sold 292-4290 Figurative watch: one of the rarest gold and enamel figurative watches, ‘The Pair of Cherries’, probably Geneva, c. 1810 Approx. 70 mm long, ca. 52 g, 18-carat gold, red enamel, one cherry containing a concealed watch, verge escapement, enamel dial; the other cherry is a perfume bottle/vinaigrette, with a gold ratchet key, with the movement intact and superbly preserved, a museum-quality rarity. Hammerprice: 10.000 €
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292-4291 Form watch: an absolute rarity, presumably the only known Patek Philippe ‘Flakon’ with an extract from the archives, 1854 Ca. 48 x 27 mm, 18K gold, blue enamel and diamonds set in silver, upper section with hinged flacon clasp, secret opening button for the lid concealed in one of the chain eyelets, numbered No. 1, opens on both sides, heart-shaped cylinder movement with key winding, signed beneath the dial, No. 9608, screw-fixed enamel dial, gold hands, original gold/enamel chatelaine with key and signet ring bearing the monogram CJ, with the movement intact, and some restoration to the enamel. The watch is a museum-quality rarity and is likely to be one of a kind. The number 1 also suggests this. We are not aware of any other flacon by Patek Philippe. The case maker is also thought to be from Geneva. The extract from the archives confirms the heart-shaped movement, manufactured in 1854. In many enamel flacon watches, the movement manufacturer and the case maker were different companies. In most cases, the movements were French or from Vienna; extremely rarely, they were from Geneva, like the prominent case makers. According to our research, there are around 10 known Patek Philippe shaped watches with heart-shaped movements, all dating from the 1850s; however, none of them was a flacon. now only: 19.000 €
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Sold 292-4295 Museum-quality gold agate snuff box, a so-called ‘stone cabinet’, attributed to Johann Christian Neuber of Dresden, c. 1780 Ca. 8.5 x 6.2 x 3 cm, ca. 172 g, octagonal case, later fitted with two French import hallmarks for gold dated 1864–1893. The octagonal snuffbox is set with 60 numbered stones (a very typical feature, also found on other snuffboxes by Neuber) of semi-translucent and opaque hard stones, including a variety of dendritic and banded agates, jasper, chalcedony and others, separated by narrow gold bars. The hinged lid is set with 16 stones, each individually numbered on the gold bars on the inside of the lid. In the centre is an oval portrait cartouche beneath a domed rose quartz with a narrow blue enamel border, framed by a wide, chased and engraved frame. The base is similarly designed; the numbers 45 to 60 are engraved on the gold bars around the edge and radiate outwards from a central oval agate panel. The sides are set with 28 rectangular agate inlays set within narrow gold frames and are also numbered (17 to 44). The gold borders on the lid are geometric and engraved with ovals and flowers; the vertical bars feature a wavy pattern, and the surrounding base strip is decorated with an interlaced band motif. The box is of outstanding quality and in very good condition. Johann Christian Neubers’ precious boxes are now held in major collections and museums around the world. They possess a special allure. Both the meticulous technique of the gem-setting and the gem-cutting itself, and above all the very tasteful selection and arrangement of the stones, have long made Neuber’s boxes highly sought-after collector’s items. The Dresden court jeweller and gem-cutter Johann Christian Neuber (1736–1808) learnt the crafts of goldsmithing and gem-cutting in Dresden under his future father-in-law, Heinrich Taddel. In 1762, he was admitted to the Dresden Goldsmiths’ Guild. From 1767 he worked for the court; from 1769 he was in charge of the Green Vault; and in 1775 he was appointed court jeweller. Neuber’s works are characterised by early Classicism. His speciality was the creation of snuff boxes adorned with gold and gemstones, which were frequently presented as royal gifts. In 1781, as a token of honour from the Saxon King Friedrich August for the French diplomat Baron de Breteuil, who played a key role in bringing about the Peace of Teschen, Neuber crafted a ceremonial table, which is regarded as his masterpiece. Further octagonal ‘Steinkabinett’ snuff boxes by Johann Christian Neuber are illustrated and described in *Gold, Jasper and Carnelian: Johann Christian Neuber at the Saxon Court*, edited by Alexis Kugel, London 2012. A round ‘Steinkabinett’ snuff box is held in the Hermitage collection. If any of his works come onto the market at all, they fetch collector’s prices at auction. Examples: 1. https://www.cortrie.de/go/AZO 2.https://www.cortrie.de/go/Wo8 3. https://www.cortrie.de/go/24R 4. https://www.cortrie.de/go/xjD Hammerprice: 40.000 €
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Sold 292-4310 Unique North German carriage clock with hourly self-striking mechanism, attributed to Michael Pfündler, Schleswig, c. 1670 Ca. Ø11cm, ca. 1220g, silver, outstanding case quality, case with extremely elaborate pierced design, hinged lid, depictions of people and mythical creatures, scene engraved on the reverse with an astronomical/astrological motif, depictions on the sides on the themes of philosophy, poetry, geography and geometry; case with bell; early verge movement with hourly self-striking mechanism; mainplate signed ‘Michael(l) Pfaundler’ (one of the known signatures of the German watchmaker Michael Pfündler from Schleswig); off-centre dial with an engraved rural scene inside and further engravings on the theme of astrology, original iron hands, very good condition, presumed original silver key, a museum-quality rarity. We are not aware of any other carriage clock with a comparable case. Information on the clockmaker: Pfündler, first name Michael (Pfaundler, Pfreundler) from Schleswig, originally from Innsbruck, took part in the Gottorf expedition to Moscow and Isfahan in 1635. Duke Frederick III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf also sought to find a trade route to Russia and Persia that did not go round Africa. For this reason, on 6 November 1633, he dispatched an expedition from Hamburg to Moscow. It was led by the merchant Otto Brüggemann and the ducal councillor Philipp Crusius. Adam Olearius served as secretary to the expedition, which comprised 34 people. The delegation arrived in Moscow on 14 August 1634. Although they were unable to conclude a trade agreement with Tsar Michael I, preparations for the next expedition began immediately upon the delegation’s return to Gottorf Castle on 6 April 1635. This expedition was to take them to the Persian court in Isfahan. Michael Pfündler was responsible for overseeing the expedition in his capacity as a watchmaker. Extensive details about the watchmaker and the watch in question can be found here: (https://www.cortrie.de/go/Q4M). Hammerprice: 25.000 €
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292-4311 Pendant watch: Museum-quality, large Renaissance pendant watch with stackfreed, striking mechanism and sundial, South German, c. 1580 Ca. 90 × 60 mm, ca. 251 g, fire-gilt brass, the entire case is pierced. The oval bell is situated in the base. The reverse of the case depicts a mythological scene: beneath a canopy stands the Argonaut Jason with the Golden Fleece, surrounded by typical Renaissance foliage and two greyhounds. The lid is adorned with floral and figurative scenes: at the bottom are two angels blowing trumpets, above them are monkeys, followed by Renaissance-style dolphins, and the design is crowned at the top by an angel with outstretched arms. A further small lid, also pierced, is fitted in the centre (lid replaced at a later date); when opened, a horizontal sundial with a compass is visible (the compass is no longer original), and a thread is attached to the lid to cast a shadow. The compass features a silver plate with an engraved eight-part wind rose. This early timepiece is a verge movement with an alarm mechanism without a fusee (various restorations). The stackfreed is used to balance the spring force. The florally decorated spindle clasp, made of gilt brass, is secured with a pin. The two-legged iron escapement (without a hairspring) is limited in its movement by a regulating lever with two escape pins made of pig bristles. The dial, made of fire-gilt brass, features two hour scales for 1 to 12 o’clock and 13 to 24 o’clock. The border is engraved with deer and winged fantasy figures, as well as floral scenes. The rotatable silver alarm disc is mounted in the centre. The hands are made of iron. The enclosed sundial made it possible, under suitable conditions, to regulate the mechanical gear-driven clock and reset it correctly. The clock is exceptionally rare and comes from a significant German collection. Only a few comparable pieces are known, which have already fetched collector’s prices at auctions: e.g. (https://www.cortrie.de/go/Dd1). now only: 20.000 €
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Sold 292-4324 Pocket watch: A Lange rarity, museum-quality, very early, heavy A. Lange Dresden gold hunting case pocket watch with key winding, in 1A condition, No. 2922 from ca. 1860, one of the earliest known Lange watches in 1A condition Ca. Ø54.5mm, ca. 138g, 18K gold, American savonnette case of the highest quality, matching the movement number, all three lids in gold, early 2/3 plate movement in 1A quality with diamond endstone and screw-mounted gold chatons, gold lever, gold escape wheel, mainplate signed ‘A. Lange Dresden No. 2922’, key-wound, original enamel dial in very good condition, also signed, blued steel hands, in a very fine state of preservation, a museum-quality rarity. According to our research, this is one of the three earliest Lange gold hunting case pocket watches of 1A quality known today. The watch is supplied with its box and extract from the archives. Hammerprice: 9.000 €
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