2811
SWISS. A FINE GOLD, PLATINUM, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SET NAVETTE-SHAPED KEYWOUND CYLINDER RING WATCH WITH CONCEALED EROTIC SCENE
SWISS. A FINE GOLD, PLATINUM, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SET NAVETTE-SHAPED KEYWOUND CYLINDER RING WATCH WITH CONCEALED EROTIC SCENE

UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1800

细节
SWISS. A FINE GOLD, PLATINUM, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SET NAVETTE-SHAPED KEYWOUND CYLINDER RING WATCH WITH CONCEALED EROTIC SCENE
UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1800
Keywound cylinder movement, chain fusée, visible diamond-set balance wheel, white enamel dial with Roman numerals, against the translucent blue enamel on engine-turned ground, navette-shaped case, old-cut diamond-set bezel and shoulders, winding and hand-set apertures concealed by a sliding cover with painted polychrome enamel erotic scene, unsigned
19 mm. wide

荣誉呈献

Sam Hines
Sam Hines

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拍品专文

US$15,000-22,000

With fitted presentation box and key.

Since their first appearance in the 16th century, ring watches have always been emanating great fascination, be it because of their decorative aspect, be it the horological tour de force needed to construct a perfectly functioning movement of, for the period, such small size to be set into a piece of jewellery. Production of these extraordinary pieces required exceptional skills and was therefore exclusively executed by the best watchmakers, jewellers and enamellers of the time, these masterworks reserved for their most distinguished and wealthy clientele.

Particularly en vogue between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries, these ring watches represented an alternative to traditional jewellery. Their shapes varied from round and oval to rectangular, the bezels of the most luxurious examples were decorated with pearls or diamonds, those with the addition of a complication with off-centred dials allowing space for a visible balance.