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Auction 109
Lot 238

109th Auction

2023/11/18

Lot 238

Henri Grandjean & Co.

A very fine, historically interesting splendour gold hunting case pocket watch with quarter repeater and independant stoppable centre seconds - made for the South American market

Sold

estimated
9.000—11.000 €
Price realized
5.500 €
Our current catalogue
specific features
Case
18 K gold, all over lavishly chased and engraved, artfully floral engraved gold dome, inner lid with presentation engraving: "Sociedad Explotadora Tierra del Fuego Chile 1893-1915 Al Senor Alejandro A. Cameron Recuerdo De Sus Servicios" (Company for the exploitation of Tierra del Fuego, Chile 1893-1915, for Mr Alejandro A. Cameron in memory of his services).
Dial
Enamel.
Movement
Bridge movement, 2 hammers, 2 gongs, 2 barrels with tandem winding and 2 matted click on the top, club-tooth lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance.
Case no.26948
Diam.54 mm
Circa1890
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.142 g


This piece is a perfect result of the cooperation between a master goldsmith and a gifted watchmaker. The splendid hunting case watch features three interesting complications: quarter repeater, dead independent central seconds and two tandem-wind barrels, inspired by the work of Sylvain Mairet (1805-1890). The lavish case is decorated with a magnificent high relief in taille-douce with stylised foliage and geometrical patterns. Cases created in Le Locle were among the best and most beautiful in the country and are known for their sophisticated goldwork and engraving The cover is ornamented with a central cartouche with the initials "AAC" (Alejandro A. Cameron, (1868-1950)),who was presented with this watch for 18 years of service as president of the "Sociedad Explotadora Tierra del Fuego" (1893-1915).


Swiss chronometer maker Henri Grandjean was born in Le Locle on December 14, 1803. From 1824 until 1830 he was assigned the task of organizing the South American branches of his father’s company; in 1830 his brother Henri Gustave emigrated to Peru and was from then on in charge of these businesses.
Henri Grandjean trained as a watchmaker in his home town. Around 1830 his factory "Henri Grandjean & Cie." began to build ship’s chronometers that were modelled on the English chronometers. His business partner was Edouard Thévenaz; together with Louis Jean Richard and Ulysse Nardin Grandjean was the originator of the Swiss marine chronometer production.
In 1831 Grandjean married Elise Montandon, the daughter of Isaac Pierre. He was granted permission to open watchmaking schools and founded the observatory at Neuchâtel. Later Grandjean went into politics and became representative and prefect of the city of Le Locle. In La-Chaux-de-Fonds he worked for the establishment of the Quartier-Neuf, which was finally built in 1855; his intention was to eliminate real estate speculation and to create low priced housing for working-class families.
A street in Le Locle was named after him - the Rue Henri-Grandjean. Henri Grandjean died on March 21, 1889 in Le Locle.
The Sociedad Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego (SETF; Spanish: Company for the exploitation of Tierra del Fuego) was a historically important company operating within the Chilean and Argentine region of Patagonia. It was founded in 1893 and cultivated over 1 million hectares (2.5×106 acres) land for sheep farming and private factories like Puerto Bories to process, freeze and export sheep meat.
Source: wikipedia.com