Pocketwatches - Cortrie Special-Auctions for Watches and Jewellery in Hamburg

Sold 287-4223 Pocket watch: probably a unique piece, flying tourbillon, Richard Miklosch, ca.1995 Ca. Ø56.5mm, ca. 135g, silver, glazed on both sides, flying tourbillon with spring detent escapement, silvered dial, regulator dial with digital hour and power reserve indicator, blued steel hands, in working order and excellently preserved, an absolute rarity. Richard Miklosch (1939–2014) was a prominent German master watchmaker from Herzogenrath near Aachen, renowned for his expertise in high-precision timekeeping and the construction of tourbillons. Alongside George Daniels, he is regarded as one of the most significant chronometer makers of the 20th century and was in close contact with Alfred Helwig (Glashütte). He was the last pupil of the famous Glashütte regulator maker Gustav Gerstenberger. Through this connection and his personal contact with Alfred Helwig, the inventor of the ‘flying tourbillon’, he adopted their high quality standards and design principles. Another flying tourbillon he crafted, featuring an Earnshaw spring detent escapement, is regarded as a technical masterpiece and is part of the renowned collection of Theodor Beyer in Zurich. Hammerprice: 1.114.200,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 152-4218 Pocket watch: Significant and museum-like gold/enamel form watch ‚ Peach/Mango, signed Ilbery London No. 6577“, ca. 1810 Ca. 88 x 61 mm, ca.148 g, 18 K gold, fruit shaped case, peach or mango, splendid enamel on both sides, with high quality pearls, probably natural pearls, integrated peripheral opening button, dome also enameled, key winding, fire-gilt duplex movement with big steel balance and diamond endstone, signed Ilbery London no. 6577, enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, blued steel hands, movement intact, probably original key. The optical condition of the case is excellent. The enamel shows only minor, usual signs of usage and a tiny, nearly invisible peripheral restoration, on the beginning of the petiole. According to the owner, the movement got restored very complex and extensive and is now in working condition, after it was broken and unused for many decades. Repairs and restorations were made on the movement and the hands motion train, some parts have been repaired or replaced and missing hands have been replaced. According to the owner, the watch was formerly sold to the well-known New York jeweler Jan Scala, where the current owner bought the watch in the late 1970s. The watch comes with an expert report! According to our research, this is one of the rarest Ilbery watches. So far, according to the current state of knowledge, only 8 other Ilbery watches of this type are noted, some referred to as "peach", others in turn as "mango", at least partially made as pairs. This watch is the second noted exemplar of the exceptionally large version. The other of these two watches was sold in Dr. Crott's auction 2016 for more than € 200,000. The case and the size were identical to the present watch. Only the decoration of the front was a little different in color. The watch had the number 6654 and the movement had, in contrast to the present watch, the more common central seconds. Dr. Crott auctions cited the auction as follows: "This major watch in the category "Fantasy Watches " is one of eight remaining watches in the world shaped as a peach, six of which are kept in pairs as a mirrored pair in major museums and collections titled Mango: An early couple without a signature is now in a private collection and was originally part of the Sandberg Collection (pictured and described in Terence Camerer-Cuss's The Sandberg Watch Collection, pages 432-433). Another pair is part of the Fondation Hans Wilsdorf/Rolex. It has the Ilbery signatures and the movement numbers 6494 and 6495 (illustrated and described in Alfred Chapuis "Montres et Émaux de Genève" - Collection H. Wilsdorf, Lausanne 1944, pages 138-139). The third known couple, also from Ilbery, is in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. These three pairs of peaches were on loan to the Patek Philippe Museum's "Le Miroir de la Séduction" exhibition - Prestigieuses paires de montres "chinoise", which took place from 15 May to 16 October 2010 in Geneva. They are illustrated and described in the catalog pages 82-83, 90-91 and 92-93. " Hammerprice: 235.220,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 118-4286 Pocketwatch : Extremely fine and extremely rare enamel watch “The Peony”, attributed to Piguet et Meylan, Geneva, probably made for the Chinese Emperor, circa 1820, enamelled Grande Sonnerie movement Ca. Ø66mm, total about 94mm, weight 187g, 18K gold, enamel case of fantastic quality set with finest pearls, probably orientpearls, rear view of a peony, case number 4528, dust cover also enamelled , extremely rare enamelled movement with optionally grande sonnerie & petite sonnerie and quarter-hour repetition, finest Geneva quality with early lever escapement and temperature compensation, case edge with slide for the striking mechanism, a choice of quarter hour self strike and only hours striking, enamel dial, Breguet blued steel hands, dial and movement signed Racine, very nice condition, minor glaze cracks in the edge region of the enamel, large gold key. In China Peonies are a symbol of spring, of wealth and happiness. They are called there Shaoyao - translated = charming and gorgeous; Empress Wu described them as "Glory of the Empire". The watch is an absolute rarity! A nearly identical watch was sold in Geneva in 2004 and reached 715 000 Swiss francs (Source: http://www.antiquorum.com/catalog/lots/lot-75-48?browse_all=1&page=2&q=peony). The case was identical with the present watch, but the movement was without sonnerie and NOT enamelled. It is believed that these watches were orders of the Emperor of China, who gave away these watches to distinguished persons. It is also believed that they were originally pairs of 2 watches sold to China. The watch is attributed to the the famous firm Piguet & Meylan. The signature Racine may be an indication of a Geneva dealer or the manufacturer of the specific movement of this watch. The watchmaker family was already in the 17th century recorded in Geneva. Charles-Frédéric Racine (1769-1832) was regarded as an important enamel painter of dials and enamel miniatures. Only a few of these type of watches still exist, the most of them are in famous museums and collections. Hammerprice: 212.936,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 177-4101 Pocket watch: historically important Art Deco gentleman's set "Piece Unique" including an important pocket watch minute repeater, Meylan Brassus, presumably from the nobility of the Melo family, ca. 1930 The high-quality box decorated with a noble coat of arms contains 5 pieces, all platinum, punched with the French platinum punch (dog's head). The gentleman's set consists of a pocket watch with matching platinum chain, a lighter, a pocket knife as a multifunctional tool with 4 tools and a pair of very high quality cufflinks. All objects are set with high quality diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Fronts of the lighter and the knife with monogram, backs of the lighter and the knife with gold coat of arms of the nobility, also set with various high quality gems and diamonds. 1. The heart of the ensemble is the unique Art Deco man's watch with minute repeater. Ca. 37 × 46mm, ca. 77g , square resp. octagonal case, both sides set with sapphires, rubies and diamonds, back again the applied monogram, winding crown set with a sapphire, case with French platinum punch and master's punch GR M (Gaston Rabier), the movement holding plate inside is not made of metal as usual, but in this unique watch of 18K white gold, also punched with the French gold punch and the GR master's mark, high quality precision lever movement, repeating the hours, quarters and minutes, signed C under the sounding spring C.H. Meylan Switzerland, platinum dial, platinum hands set with diamonds, case rim with slider for releasing the repeater, in very good condition, in working order and with good sound. 2. lighter ca. 35 × 45mm x 15mm, ca. 108g, platinum, similarly set with gemstones and diamonds. 3. pocket knife/ multifunctional tool, ca. 67mm long, ca. 38g, similarly set with gemstones and diamonds. 4. platinum chain with double clasp, ca. 39cm long, ca. 10g. 5. cufflinks, platinum/ 18K white gold, ca. 10.5g, set with finest diamonds and special cut rubies and sapphires. The entire gentleman's ensemble is set with a total of 336 diamonds and high quality gemstones. The condition is used and not restored or refurbished. Lighter, knife, watch case and cufflinks show various signs of use. The watch is the unique heart of the ensemble. Hammerprice: 198.080,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 128-4246 Pocket watch: important "Grande Complication", 7 complications, Urban Jürgensen & Sonner, Copenhagen, no. 130521/3009, with original certificate Ca. Ø 60mm, ca. 217 g, 18 K gold, a goutte, Urban Jürgensen case punch, "Grande Complication" precision lever movement, excellent quality with perpetual calendar, chronograph, minute repeater, wolf's toothing, screwed gold chatons, compensating balance with gold screws, extravagant silver dial, engine turning in center; silver registers for day, date and month; cobalt blue enamel/gold moon indication, blue Breguet hands, condition like new, with original certificate, probably unique piece, Urban Jürgensen & Sonner list price 2003 of 912,000 SwissFrancs. Hammerprice: 148.560,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 201-4351 Pocket watch: important pink gold Patek Philippe hunting case watch with minute repeater and perpetual calendar, original box, papers and extract from the archives, No.230376, Geneva 1899 Ca. Ø56.5mm, ca. 189g, 18K pink gold, hunting case à-goutte, case number 230376, movement number 111625, absolute top quality precision lever movement, Geneva stripe decoration, wolf's toothing, lever escapement, minute repeater, perpetual calendar with moon phase and moon age, very well preserved enamel dial, signed and numbered, perpetual calendar with red date, blued steel hands. The watch is in excellent condition and in working order, it comes with an original box of exceptional quality and with a spare glass and spring. The original unfilled papers are still in the hinged top. The watch is accompanied by the extract from the archives confirming its originality. The watch was made in 1899 and sold in 1903. This watch is one of the rarest Patek Philippe hunting case watches with minute repeater and perpetual calendar offered at auction in the last 20 years. The weight of almost 190 grams for a pink gold hunting case watch is an absolutely exceptional quality feature. Additionally, the condition of this watch is almost like new. Hammerprice: 136.180,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 267-4274 Pocket watch: Extremely important Assmann with 9 complications, original box, ca. 1906 Ca. Ø 60mm, ca. 220g, 18K gold, extremely heavy and extremely high-quality à-goutte hunter case, case and movement with matching numbers 16953, glazed movement, important Glashütte movement with perpetual calendar, moon phase and moon age, minute repeater and chronograph with 30-minute counter, original, stepped, signed enamel dial and original gold hands, sensational condition in working order with original box. This is one of the rarest Glashütte pocket watches from around 1900. Hammerprice: 105.230,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 188-4256 Pocket watch: Patek Philippe pocket chronometer with equation of time, perpetual calendar and moon phase, museum piece, No.31090, Geneva ca. 1870, only 7 of these watches were made! Ca. Ø55.5mm, ca. 124g, 18K pink gold, splendour case with high relief, back with finely engraved vines and leaves, integrated enamelled monogram, probably an Arabic character, very fine à-gout version, case and movement with matching number, 31090, signed and numbered dome, delivered to Rodanet, the Patek Philippe distributor in Paris, Rodanet number 9294, exquisite Patek Philippe chronometer movement with extra large chronometer balance, lever escapement, wolf's toothing, extremely rare technical complication: equation of time, perpetual calendar, moon phase, original enamel dial in very good condition, below the "12" the indication of the moon phase and the "true time" (equation of time), pink gold hands for the perpetual calendar, blued steel hands for the time, in excellent condition with probably original wooden box, covered with velvet and silk. This watch is probably one of the rarest Patek Philippe pocket watches offered at auction in the last 20 years. The owner has been informed by Patek Philippe that only 7 of these watches have been made and this watch was number 3 of them. The first of these watches was the number 24920, which also had an equation of time table and a compass on the back. From this watch only archive photographs from 1867 exist (shown in Huber & Banbery, page 203, image 176.). It is quite possible that the watch presented here is the only still existing example of these 7 watches, because according to our research no other of these watches have shown up so far. In total Patek Philippe produced only 11 pocket watches with equation of time until the famous "Henry Graves" in 1933. What is an equation of time? The equation of time shows the difference between the mean solar time and the true solar time. This is variable during the course of a year. It is therefore the difference between the time shown by a sundial and the time shown by a perfectly regulated watch, which would indicate noon at the time the sun passes the meridian. This difference results from the combination of two effects. First, the movement of the earth around the sun, its elliptical orbit (instead of circular). Second, the inclination of its axis of rotation in the orbit. What is a sector-type equation of time, such as the one in this watch? Solar time is permanently indicated by an index or hand on a subsidiary dial, generally graduated in a sector from + 15 to - 15 minutes. To know the solar time, it is therefore necessary to add or remove this time lapse to or from the mean time. Hammerprice: 99.040,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 240-4266 Pocket watch: important gold/enamel musical automaton for the Chinese market, attributed to Piguet & Meylan ca. 1820 Ca. Ø53mm, approx. 127g, 18K pink gold, both sides set with half Oriental pearls, complete original setting, back with enamel painting in Geneva top quality, flower bouquet, extremely rare version of the band, dark blue and turquoise band colour typical for Piguet & Meylan, very rare version of the band also with Oriental pearl setting, pendant and bow also enamelled and set with Oriental pearls, next to the pendant the opening button for the back spring lid, dome enamelled in two colours, serial number 4836, cylinder movement with repeating the hours and quarters, musical movement with hourly release, which simultaneously releases the figure automaton on the face, decentralised enamel dial with centre seconds on the face, below is the figure automaton in front of an enamelled background, in working order, located in a fancy case. The musical movement still sounds very good after more than 200 years and the automaton of the lady with the hurdy-gurdy still works. The young man with the lute is not moving at the moment. The watch can almost certainly be attributed to Piguet & Meylan, the most important Geneva maker of these automatons. In terms of value, it is to be placed in the top segment of these automatons, as it has a repeater, a musical movement and a figural automaton, and the case has a painting on the back and valuable Oriental pearl setting. The case and the automaton show minor restorations. The painting on the back has been partially professionally restored in the peripheral area. The plaque was removed, restored and reinstalled. A comparable automaton achieved a record price of more than 900,000 Swiss Francs (https://www.cortrie.de/go/EwB) in Geneva. Hammerprice: 92.850,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 255-4328 Important, large gold/enamel ‘Lyre’ form watch with repeater, possibly unique, possibly Jaquet-Droz, ca. 1790 Ca. 96 mm long, approx. 80g, gold/enamel, extremely elaborate design, red and blue guilloché enamel, more than 380 half Oriental pearls and a lavish setting of rose cut diamonds, extremely detailed design, floral elements on the face, a three-dimensional representation of a putto riding a whale on the back, mythological scene, the water flows from the putto's musical instrument and enables the whale to swim, extremely rare version with repeater on bell, repeating is released by pressing the pendant, which also functions as a large eyelet to enable this exceptionally large watch to be worn as a pendant watch, the case is also designed to have a small stand so that the watch can also be stood on, verge movement, repeating the hours and quarters on a bell, enamel dial, filigree steel hands, case, movement and dial back with matching number 2549, very good condition, intact. The watch comes in a high-quality box with aristocratic crown and possibly original key. In our opinion, this is a unique piece. We are not aware of any other comparable object. The extremely high quality speaks with large probability for the Geneva manufacturer Jaquet-Droz, from whom comparable objects are known. The standard version of a lyre form watch is small and delicate and without complications. The object presented here, with its exceptionally large size, highly precious finish and pedestal design, is more comparable to the most important Jaquet-Droz gold/enamel watches known to date. Here are a few examples: 1. https://www.cortrie.de/go/ZBa 2. https://www.cortrie.de/go/44M 3. https://www.cortrie.de/go/lqN Hammerprice: 92.850,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 267-4280 Pocket watch: an absolute rarity, Breguet “Montre Medaillon Excentric” No. 2823 with original box, 1815 Ca. Ø 34 mm, 18K gold, engine-turned, extremely rare experimental lever escapement with safety device, engine-turned dial with date display, decentral time display, original Breguet hands made of gold, original gold watch chain and original Breguet winding key made of gold, matching-numbered original box with compartment for replacement glass, Breguet certificate of authenticity, in working order and in excellent condition. Breguet called these watches “Montre Medaillon Excentric”. In combination with a complication such as, as in this case, the date display, these watches are extremely rare. The sister watch, no. 2800, was sold at auction in Geneva in 2013 (https://www.cortrie.de/go/Jee). Hammerprice: 87.898,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 128-4227 Pocket watch: important, rare and very big octagonal form watch, gold/enamel/moss agate & pearls, William Ilbery No.5983, Chia Ch'ing (Emperor of China 1796-1820) Ca. 115 x 65mm, ca. 166 g, 18 K gold, extravagant enamel, both sides with original and very rare multicolored moss agate with plant inclusions, spring lid on back, finest engravings below, fire-gilt duplex movement, signed Ilbery London 5983, steel balance, diamond endstone, enamel dial, gold hands, enamel party rubbed, altogether in very beautiful condition, movement intact, real rarity. According to our knowledge these watches were probably only made and delivered as a pair of two for the Chinese Emperor Chia Ch'ing (Emperor of China 1796-1820). Today there are only about 10 Ilbery watches with moss agate and only 2 pairs noted. The only noted pair in same edition and size is part of the Patek Philippe Museum and its collection "The Mirror of Seduction - Prestigious pairs of "Chinese" (source:https://www.cortrie.de/go/nG2) . This watch comes from private possession and was the centrepiece of the collection sold in Sotheby's auction Geneva 2013 (estimated price 2013 120,000CHF - 180,000CHF). The counterpart of this watch no. 5982 was sold in Antiquorum auction 1980, the price is not listed anymore. In 1990 another agate watch no. 6117 was sold for more than 180,000 SwissFrancs (source:https://www.cortrie.de/go/L9d). William Ilbery was a London watchmaker in ca. 1789-1839. He was a very famous maker and seller of finest, complex and very precious gold and jewelled pocked watches with enamel paintings. He was specialised in making watches for Chinese market. His watches are inspired by James Cox London and Jaquet-Droz Switzerland. His earlier watches were constructed in a traditional English way with full plate movement and duplex escapement. Later pieces by him show a flying barrel, comparable to Lepine movements. His pocket watch cases got their trimming and decoration by prime Geneva enamel artists like Jean-Francois-Victor Dupont and Jean-Louis Richter. Hammerprice: 86.660,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 110-4240 Pocket watch: unique astronomic gold/enamel minute repeater hunting case watch, moon and perpetual calendar, Vrard & Co ca. 1890 Ca. Ø 60mm, ca. 209g , 18 K gold, Swiss case punch, no.7205, gold/enamel case, Geneva prime quality , enamel paintings on both sides, tiger and lion hunting scene, peripheral enamel decoration, fantastic quality, excellent condition, enamel with nearly invisible and small scratches, glazed movement, very fine precision lever movement with perpetual calendar, moon, minute repeater, signed bridge, original enamel dial, blued steel hands, dial inscribed "Bissextile Quantieme Perpetuelle" (short and fine hairline near date register ), in working order, solid 18 K pink gold prime quality watch chain (weight ca. 67 g) with unique 18 K gold medallion pendant (weight ca. 40g), multi-colored enamel and diamonds, face with picture of Maharaja -probably original owner of this watch. Extravagant and complex enamel watch for Indian market. The watch comes with an expertise of originality and quality. A comparable watch with a similar "lion hunting" scene was sold in 1991 for ca. 300,000 SwissFrancs. Hammerprice: 86.660,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 205-4260 Pocket watch: important, historically highly interesting A. Lange & Söhne gold hunting case watch with minute repeater and double chronograph "Rattrapante", No.89967, with extract from the archives Ca. Ø57.5mm, ca. 169g, 18K gold, impressive hunting case watch, spring lid with monogram "NW" for Nils Westberg, spring lid inside with various signature engravings, similar to those known from the well-known gift watches of A. Hitler, additionally engraved in German "Im März 1939", highly complicated precision lever movement in best 1A quality, minute repeater, split-seconds, gold lever, gold escape wheel, fine adjusting device, diamond endstone, case and movement with matching numbers 89967, stepped enamel dial with 30-minute counter, gold hands, in unworked original condition, working, but service recommended, in the family of Nils Westberg's heirs until 2020. The watch comes with an extract from the archives and was the last gold hunting case watch made by Lange & Söhne with this rare complication. Only 25 of these watches were made in total. According to the Lange archive, the watch was sold on 6.3.1939 for 3004.20RM and delivered to Berlin. The dedication engraving inside the spring lid indicates that it was an important and at that time extremely valuable gift from Germany to the board member Nils Westberg of the AGA-Gas in Sweden. AGA-AB, previously AB Gasaccumulator and AB Svenska Gasaccumulator, was a Swedish industrial gas company founded in 1904 by Nobel Prize winner Gustaf Dalén. The AGA board consisted of Rolf von Heidenstam (later CEO of AGA 1937-50), Gustaf Dalén and Nils Westberg. This trio was responsible for sales to the "new markets". Nils Westberg was responsible for sales in Central Europe and Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, not all of the signatures can be clearly identified, but the German names Weydmann, von Schemm, Hilpert and Hübsch can. So far, only a few of these watches have been offered at a watch auction, an absolute rarity and a top piece of Glashütte watchmaking art with a unique history! Hammerprice: 86.660,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 287-4159 Pocket watch: unique, historically significant Cartier ‘Shutter’ gold/enamel minute repeater No. 3154 for the Tsar’s court, Paris 1818 Historically significant, very fine and slim pocket watch with minute repeater and shutter-covered dial, a unique and historically valuable gift manufactured by Cartier for the Russian imperial court under Nicholas II – with original red Cartier leather case featuring an embossed Russian double-headed eagle and extract from the archives! ca. Ø47mm, 66.5g, 18K gold, dial concealed by the ‘shutter mechanism’, opens via a button on the pendant, beneath which lies the signed, engine-turned dial; dial cover featuring a blue enamelled monogram ‘OHC’ (Otis H. Cutler), beneath which is an engraved presentation monogram ‘from H.P.D.’ (Henry Pomeroy Davison), engraved year 1919 beneath the pendant, the reverse featuring a central translucent red enamelled cross on a white ground, recessed slide for striking, pressed back, very fine bridge movement, 2 hammers, 2 gongs, gold-screw-mounted balance wheel, in superb condition and in working order. Records from the Cartier archives indicate that the watch was originally intended as a gift for a member of the Russian imperial family, prior to the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his entire family on 17 July 1918. The imperial family had close ties to the Russian Red Cross, a fact that was also reflected in the commission of the so-called “Red Cross Egg”; Fabergé created the egg, which features portraits of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and her two eldest daughters, in 1915. The egg is now part of the Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Due to the Russian Revolution, the watch was never delivered and remained in Cartier’s inventory. The archives reveal that the initials “OHC” were applied in blue enamel on the instructions of Henry Pomeroy Davison, who purchased the watch on 13 May 1919. Henry Pomeroy Davison was a well-known figure in the world of high finance – he was a partner at JP Morgan Bank in New York and president of the American Red Cross. In the course of his work, he was on a mission to Russia in 1917 and travelled to France in the spring of 1919. There he acquired the Cartier watch and had it inscribed with the initials of his employee and confidant, Otis H. Cutler. The watch comes with the original Cartier extract from the archives, which confirms the authenticity of the original box bearing the Imperial Eagle. Provenance: Sotheby’s Geneva 2009 with extensive documentation on its history; estimated price at the time CHF 80,000 to CHF 120,000 Hammerprice: 80.470,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 287-4221 Marine chronometer/expedition chronometer: significant, small Berthoud chronometer No. 77, ca. 1801 Mahogany box with bone plate No. 77, ca. 12 x 10 x 7 cm, 3-piece, central section with round recess for the original silver case with brass setting, French silver hallmarks, case maker’s mark PP, silver hallmark Paris 1798–1809, Paris city hallmark from 1797, also so-called Paris guarantee hallmark 1798–1809, Case back with winding aperture, exquisite, signed Louis Berthoud chronometer movement, matching number No. 77, experimental, exceptionally large chronometer balance, conical hairspring, diamond endstone, spring detent escapement, movement setting also signed Louis Berthoud and numbered No. 77, original enamel ‘Regulator’ dial, Breguet steel hands, also signed and numbered No. 77, in working order. In his notes from 1801, Louis Berthoud wrote that he was now beginning to manufacture his second series of seven marine chronometers, starting with No. 74 and ending with No. 80. Compared to the first series from 1800, there were to be qualitative changes that allowed more space for the escapement unit and the large chronometer balance. The first series also consisted of 7 chronometers. This is therefore one of the first 14 marine chronometers/expedition chronometers by Louis Berthoud. Louis Berthoud produced ca. 150 chronometers, worked as a watchmaker for the observatory and the navy, and was a member of the ‘Bureau des Longitudes’. After his death, Breguet took over the post of ‘Horloger de la Marine’. A chronometer from the first series, No. 52, was auctioned in 2025 for a record price of over 400,000 Swiss francs (https://www.cortrie.de/go/Pq1). Hammerprice: 80.470,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 246-4235 Important Patek Philippe gold/enamel pocket watch with 7 complications, Geneva 1922, with extract from the archives Ca. Ø53.5mm, ca. 133g, 18k pink gold, case back with enamel inlay, representation of moon and stars symbolising an astronomical pocket watch, blue guilloché enamel, case signed Patek Philippe & Co. Geneve No. 409600, glazed movement, glazed movement frame with case No. 409600 and movement No. 197737, highly complicated Patek Philippe movement with 7 complications, perpetual calendar, moon phase, moon age and minute repeater, Geneva stripes, fine adjusting device, 31 jewels, adjusted in 8 positions, winding wheels with wolf's toothing, signed Patek Philippe No. 197737, original, matching numbered enamel dial (professionally restored), in working order and in very good condition, only barely visible short hairlines in the moon phase display. The watch is in its original box and comes with a current Patek Philippe extract from the archives. This is an extremely rare Patek Philippe with an extremely unusual gold/enamel case, possibly unique. The watch was in the USA for decades. Another plain gold case was made there by Tiffany. This is noted in the extract from the archives from 1992 (copy available). The reason was probably a mismatched gift dedication that was in the original case. Fortunately, the original case was not destroyed. In 2005, the previous owner requested another extract from the archives for the variant in the original case. A copy of this is also available. After the change of ownership, the movement is now only in its original case. The engraving on the edge of the inner lid has been polished out. A third, now current extract from the archives was requested for the watch in 2023, which confirms the originality and the special enamel case! Such case decorations were usually requested by customers and were commissioned by Patek Philippe from local engravers and enamellers and were not carried out in-house. Nevertheless, they are mentioned in the extract from the archives. Hammerprice: 74.280,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 255-4298 Pocket watch: important, possibly unique Breguet pocket chronometer with three complications, Paris 1792 Ca. Ø53.5mm, approx. 115g, simple 18K gold case, extremely rare chronometer movement with chronometer balance, lever escapement, helical hairspring, repeater à-toc, jumping hour and date as well as an early seconds display, No. 104, signed Breguet, original enamel dial, also signed (fine hairlines, minor restoration to the screw), Breguet steel hands, in working order. The watch is a Breguet rarity. We are not aware of any other Breguet pocket chronometer from this period with these complications. A similar Breguet pocket watch No. 112 with the same case and the same dial, also a repeater and with a date, but with the usual movement with a cylinder escapement, was auctioned in Geneva in 2008 and sold for 152,500 Swiss Francs. Hammerprice: 74.280,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 240-4307 Pocket watch: important gold/enamel hunting case watch, 5th Shah of Persia, Mozaffar ad-Din, ca. 1905 Ca. Ø55mm, approx. 131g, 18K gold, back with enamel painting, representation of the 5th Shah of Persia, Mozaffar ad-Din as commander of the Persian Guard, original jewellery set with diamonds and rubies, back with the Persian coat of arms with lion, sabre, sun and laurel wreath, band also fantastically enamelled, serial number 47722, dome inscribed "Mouvement de la Vallee", dome also with listing of complications: minute repeater and chronograph, glazed movement, highly complicated Swiss precision lever movement, minute repeater, chronograph, extremely rare red engine turned enamel dial, gold numerals, gold hands, in working order. The watch is in a wonderful condition, both paintings are original and not restored. The signature "Mouvement de la Vallee" is an indication of the high quality of the movement, for which movements from the "Vallee" are known, e.g. Le Coultre or Louis-Elisée Piguet. It is either the personal watch of the 5th Shah of Persia or an extremely precious presentation watch. We know of another example with exactly the same case but a normal "white" dial, provenance Dr. Crott Anniversary Auction 2015, estimate €75,000-85,000. Mozaffar ad-Din Shah (1853-1907) reigned as Shah of Persia from 1896-1907. Hammerprice: 74.280,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 208-4150 Pocket watch: important, not yet registered pocket chronometer "of the Best Kind" John Arnold London No.76 in museum-quality, hallmarks London 1782 Ca. Ø62mm, ca. 177g, 3-part silver case, hallmarks London 1782, case maker's mark ITP, signed and numbered John Arnold chronometer movement, on the plate completely signed, Invenit et Fecit No.38/76, spring detent escapement, helical hairspring, diamond endstone, very early OZ balance, signed and numbered original enamel dial (hairlines), blued steel hands, in working order and in very beautiful condition. The chronometer is in a 3-part mahogany box with matching keys. This Arnold Chronometer is a museum rarity and has never been offered at an auction before. The watch was privately owned to this day and was previously considered lost. It is not registered in the list of known Arnold chronometers. The last beautifully preserved and historically significant comparable Arnold Chronometer (20/63) was auctioned by Dr. Crott for 143.900€! John Arnold is regarded as the most important English chronometer maker and manufacturer of the first pocket chronometer. John Arnold made about 94 pocket chronometers "of the Best Kind" at that time and 37 are still registered as existent (in addition to the present chronometer No.76). Of these 38 chronometers about three-quarters are affected by more or less major changes in their originality (e.g. no Arnold escapement or balance, no original dial, no original case, etc.). - Source: https://www.cortrie.de/go/mG2). This Arnold chronometer belongs to less than 10 chronometers "of the Best Kind" by John Arnold which can be regarded as almost original and unchanged! In Hans Staeger "100 years precision watches from John Arnold to Arnold &. Frodsham 1763-1862" the Arnold Chronometer No.75 is presented on pages 153 and 154 with the note that it is probably the 1st Arnold Chronometer with an OZ balance. The number 76 can be considered as the second earliest known Arnold chronometer with this balance. Hammerprice: 68.090,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 267-4278 Pocket watch: the most complicated Ulysse Nardin from the 19th century known to us, with archive information Ca. Ø 59.5mm, ca. 199g, 18k gold, engine-turned, case and movement matching number 8457, dome signed Grand Prix Paris 1889 Ulysse Nardin, glazed movement, a masterpiece of Swiss watchmaking, probably Victorin Piguet caliber, 9 complications, perpetual calendar, moon phase and moon age, minute repeater, chronograph rattrapante, perfectly preserved enamel dial, original hands, excellent condition, in working order. It is probably one of only 3! of these watches that Ulysse Nardin produced and sold in the 19th century, probably exhibited and awarded at the world exhibition in Paris in 1889, according to archive information sold in 1892. The sister watch 8458 and another of these watches 8440 are also listed with the year of sale 1892. Hammerprice: 68.090,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 201-4337 Pocket watch: large gold/ enamel pocket watch with pearl setting, musical movement and repeater, Switzerland for the Chinese market, L & C No.8598, ca. 1860-1880 Ca. Ø59mm, ca. 160g, gold enamel, both sides set with half pearls, back with elaborate enamel painting, case punched with a Chinese punch as well as 2 letters L & C, fine cylinder movement, musical movement, very well preserved enamel dial, centre seconds, beautiful gold hands, intact, cleaning/ revision recommended. Hammerprice: 68.090,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 255-4346 Absolute rarity: a gold, complicated coach clock, Abraham Yver, Angoulême, ca. 1675 Ca. Ø68mm, approx. 270g, extremely rare gold case, pierced, bell, highly complicated, signed verge movement with very special pillars, self-strike and alarm, pierced barrels, signed gold dial, iron hands, sensational, almost like new condition, in working order. The watch is a museum treasure. A coach clock from this period with a gold case is a real sensation, even rarer than the gold-cased oignons, of which there are only about five known examples. Abraham Yver (Hyver or Yuer, 1620-1680) was the head of one of the most influential watchmaking families in northern France. In the ‘Memoire sur la Généralité de Limoges’, published in 1698, we read that the Yver family of Angoulême enjoyed the highest reputation with the kings and in the cities of Saintes, Blois, Poitiers and others. All family members were Protestants and had connections to clockmakers in Blois. Ten members of the Yver family are recorded as living in Angoulême between 1670 and 1783. Hammerprice: 68.090,00 €
incl. charge

Sold 201-4352 Pocket watch: Charles Frodsham No.6989 "Grande Complication" with 14 complications, one of the most impressive pocket watches ever made in England, London 1884, with extract from the archives Ca. Ø69mm, ca. 449g, 18K gold, London Hallmarks from 1884, case and movement with matching number 6989 AD.Fmsz (best quality made by Frodsham), the most complicated Frodsham movement known to us with 14 complications: 1. Grande sonnerie, 2. Petite sonnerie, 3. Muting, 4. & 5. Trip minute repeater, 6. Chronograph, 7. Central 60-minute counter, 8. to.12. Perpetual calendar considering month length and leap years, 13. Moon phase and 14. Moon age, signed original and numbered enamel dial, steel and gold hands, in very good condition, in working order. The watch comes with an extract from the archives. Comparable pieces: 1. https://www.cortrie.de/go/aXo 2. https://www.cortrie.de/go/dXV. According to our research, this is the most complicated watch by Frodsham offered at auction to date. Pocket watches with 14 complications are absolute rarities. Particularly noteworthy are, besides the Grande & Petite Sonnerie, the Trip-Minute-Repeater, as also found in Patek Philippe watches, and especially, the central 60-minute counter for the chronograph. With a weight of almost 450 grams, it is one of the heaviest "Grande Complication" pocket watches ever made. Charles Frodsham was one of the most important English chronometer makers. Already in 1830, he handed in a marine chronometer for testing at the Royal Greenwich Observatory and achieved a second prize. Frodsham was a member of the Royal Society from 1834. He took over the company John Arnold & Co in London in 1843. Frodsham was vice-president of the British Horological Institute for a time and became a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1845. In 1854 he was appointed Royal Court Watchmaker and Purveyor to the Court. A year later he was Master of the Clockmakers Company. Hammerprice: 68.090,00 €
incl. charge

Quick Info

Auctions

Our catalogues

Information

Contact and Dates

Got questions?

Terms

Public sale and auction

24 Highlights