Lot 150

Marchand

A collection of 6 pocket watches
A high-quality Geneva verge pocket watch "Oignon" with alarm

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"Oignon" watches with alarm function made in Geneva are rare. This piece is of excellent quality with an outstanding movement and a case in good condition. Abraham Marchand (around 1681-1753), son of Charles Marchand and Philippe Cusin, came from a famous watchmaking family in Geneva and produced "Oignon" watches and other French-style watches with alarm functions. He became a "habitant" in 1710.

"Oignons" were most popular in France during the last 30 years of the Sun King’s reign; only a few of them were produced later than that.Presumably there were workshops in France that produced ebauches for oignons, however, as of today no such ebauche has ever surfaced. Oignons have a large gap between the plates which means that the parts of the movement are well visible; the viewer can easily see the individual parts and how they work like in a large-scale model - this was part of the great appeal these watches had. The oignon is robust and useful pocket watches that - in contrast to the previous pocket and pendant watches at the time - shows the time with adequate accuracy.