111st Auction

2024/11/16

Lot 249

Castel à Bourg
Oignon

An exquisite, rare single-handed verge pocket watch "Oignon" with alarm

Sold

estimated
3.2005.000 €
Price realized
4.400 €
specific features
Case
Silver, lavishly engraved bezel, openwork back, chased decoration in high relief, rear bell.
Dial
Enamel, "en bosse", central alarm disc.
Movement
Fine full plate movement, chain/fusee, 1 hammer, four-arm brass balance.
Diam.57 mm
Circa1710
Ctry.France
Wt.213 g


Castel was born in Cologne and recorded in Armans in 1692. In 1718 he took over Maillet’s business in Bourg (en Bresse), after having produced watches/clocks for the city of Bourg in 1708. He died in 1727 and his work was carried on by his sons Adrien and Guillaume Castel, who established a watch-/clockmaking school and were awarded the royal priviledge.