Timepieces at Sotheby's at traditional autumn watch sale
04 Oct '07
3 min read
A private collection of pocket watches: This private collection consists of 15 fine and rare pieces, including two pocket watches specially made for the Chinese market.
The first (illustration on right) is a beautiful mid 19th century centre seconds duplex watch in gold and enamel by the exceptional English watchmaker William Ilbery (1780-1851). Its case back is decorated with an enamel scene by V. Dupont, one of the period's most notable enamellers (estimate: CHF 120,000-180,000 / $100,000-150,000).
pocket watch set with enamel and pearls, made by the Geneva watchmakers Isaac Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) and Philippe-Samuel Meylan (1772-1845), circa 1820 (estimate: CHF 160,000-250,000 / $135,000-210,000).
Both originally from Le Chenit, a small village in the Vallée de Joux, the two future master watchmakers moved to Geneva when they were still young men and formed a partnership that lasted from 1811 to 1828. Working together in their workshops at 45 rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, they soon came to specialise in beautifully decorated musical watches, including skeleton and automaton watches.
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