106th Auction
2022/5/21
Lot 217
Le Phare
A rare quarter repeating Swiss pocket watch for shooting contests "Tir Cantonal du Centenaire Genève 1814-1914" in near mint condition
Sold
estimated
1.600—2.500 €
Price realized
2.000 €
specific features
Case
Niello silver.
Dial
Enamel.
Movement
1/2 plate movement, screw compensation balance.
Case no.81228
Diam.54 mm
Circa1914
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.98 g
An niello silver version of the Geneva canton coat of arms with the eagle, the key and the motto "Post tenebras xux" (light after darkness) decorates the back of this pocket watch. A simplified version of the seal is sometimes used as "Geneva seal" on watch movements of particularly high quality.
Barbezat-Baillot invented the brand Le Phare (= lighthouse) in 1888 and used it as his company name from 1905 on. Barbezat-Baillot was an extremely gifted watchmaker and inventor who registered a large number of patents. One of his most important inventions was the use of centrifugal force for the repeater mechanism.