92nd Auction
2015/11/14
Lot 364
P.A.G.I. San Fransisco CA / Fleurier, "Chronometer", Case No. 3422, 58 mm, 150 g, circa 1860
An unusual hunting case pocket watch with jumping centre second and Chinese duplex escapement, produced for a wealthy Chinese customer in America
Case: 18k gold, florally engraved, gold dome with engraving. Dial: enamel, radial Roman numerals, centre seconds, flower hands. Movm.: Fleurier bridge movement, keywind, nickel-plated, standing barrel, monometallic balance with screwed blued weights.
We can only guess how this watch came to be built. Around 1850 San Francisco attracted great numbers of Chinese immigrants - a direct consequence of the gold rush at the time.
An appreciable part of the Chinese population there consisted of wealthy businessmen - as this heavy gold watch is fitted with a calibre that was commonly used in watches the workshops in Fleurier in Switzerland intended for the Chinese market, it is likely that the watch was produced for one of these entrepreneurs.
An unusual hunting case pocket watch with jumping centre second and Chinese duplex escapement, produced for a wealthy Chinese customer in America
Case: 18k gold, florally engraved, gold dome with engraving. Dial: enamel, radial Roman numerals, centre seconds, flower hands. Movm.: Fleurier bridge movement, keywind, nickel-plated, standing barrel, monometallic balance with screwed blued weights.
We can only guess how this watch came to be built. Around 1850 San Francisco attracted great numbers of Chinese immigrants - a direct consequence of the gold rush at the time.
An appreciable part of the Chinese population there consisted of wealthy businessmen - as this heavy gold watch is fitted with a calibre that was commonly used in watches the workshops in Fleurier in Switzerland intended for the Chinese market, it is likely that the watch was produced for one of these entrepreneurs.
Sold
estimated
1.800—3.000 €
Price realized
2.400 €