111st Auction
2024/11/16
Lot 231
DaxelhofferOignon
A rare Bienne "Oignon" with enamel portrait of a distinguished gentleman on the balance bridge
Sold
estimated
2.500—4.000 €
Price realized
4.000 €
specific features
Case
Silver, decorated with baroque strapwork, the reverse side with glazed, round cut-out.
Dial
Gold champlevé, enamel cartouches with radial Roman numerals.
Movement
Full plate movement, chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance with enamel medallion.
Diam.55 mm
Circa1710
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.142 g
This is a typical example of an "oignon" - a large watch fitted with a simple construction and easily readable dial. The most unusual feature of this watch is the balance bridge, covered with an enamel medallion.
Only very little information is available on the watchmaker Daxelhoffer or Dachselhofer. Jürgen Abeler mentions Daxelhofer the elder without a first name, stating that his work is mainly owned by the Historisches Museum Basel, such as another pocket watch with enamel shield on the balance cock (see Jürgen Abeler, Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, Wuppertal 1977, p. 106f.).