Live Auction 1366Important Watches
Duchene. A highly unusual 18K gold and enamel cylinder watch with 18K gold and enamel "snake" bracelet and original fitted box
Lot 58 VARIOUS PROPERTIES

Duchene. A highly unusual 18K gold and enamel cylinder watch with 18K gold and enamel "snake" bracelet and original fitted box

SIGNED L. DUCHÊNE & FILS, NO. 38'323, CIRCA 1820

Closed11 May 2009

Price Realised

CHF 21,250

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Duchene. A highly unusual 18K gold and enamel cylinder watch with 18K gold and enamel "snake" bracelet and original fitted box
Signed L. Duchêne & Fils, No. 38'323, circa 1820
The miniature watch with gilt-finished cylinder movement, male keywinding, gold cuvette, engine-turned silvered dial, Roman numerals on blank chapter ring, circular black champlevé enamel scroll and foliage decorated miniature case, set within the openwork 18K gold, black and white enamel bracelet, the links consisting of entwined snakes with ruby-set eyes, hinged cover with black and white enamel floral and foliage decoration centred by a polychrome enamel cherub's head and wings, cuvette signed and numbered
17 mm. diam., 63 mm. width & 200 mm. overall length

Specialist note

With original fitted brown leather presentation box and a male key.

A similar "snake" bracelet with cherub's head on the hinged cover is prominently illustrated in Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mühe, Brunner, fifth edition, pp. 26 & 27, pl. 38, and in Museums of Horology La Chaux-de-Fonds, le Locle, p. 118.

Louis Duchêne & Fils were active in Geneva between around 1790 and 1820. The firm specialized in enamelled and fantasy watches.