109th Auction
2023/11/18
Lot 126
Anonymous
An extraordinary, navette shaped ring watch with visible balance and decorated with enamel and half pearls - with original silk-lined green morocco presentation case and original golden winding key
estimated
10.000—15.000 €
Price realized
-
specific features
Case
18 K rose gold, half pearls.
Dial
Translucent cobalt blue enamel over an engine-turned ground; upper part: eccentric white enamel dial with Roman hours, lower part: visible balance with four whirling arms on a polished steel disc.
Movement
Moulded movement, cylinder escapement, keywind.
Diam.33 x 22 mm
Circa1820
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.19 g
Even as early as in the 16th century watchmakers were fascinated by the idea of fitting a watch into a ring – however, only a few of them managed such a feat. This did not change during the 19th century; any successful attempt to create a watch of this kind brought immediate fame to its maker, especially if the watch found a prominent buyer. It was probably James Widman's ring watch that was worn by the Duke of Mantua and Antoine Rojard’s fame based itself on Napoleon Bonaparte's watch – even the young John Arnold was able to present an exquisite ring watch to King George III of England; this immediately made him a celebrated watchmaker.