Lot 83

Francois Demanet à Bruxelles, Case No. 109, 56 mm, 127 g, circa 1810
A gentleman's very fine pocket watch with quarter repeater via pull mechanism
Case: 18k rose gold, engine-turned, circular reeded bands, engine-turned case band, signed gilt dome, case maker's punch mark "CL", gold punch mark Neuchatel "88 NN", slide to set the repeater more silent. Dial: gold, engine-turned, radial Roman hours, signed, blued Breguet hands. Movm.: brass full plate movement, keywind, frosted, gilt, signed, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, chain/fusee, verge escapement, three-arm gold balance, fine florally engraved and pierced balance bridge.
Despite the competition from lever and cylinder watches, many pocket watches at the early 19th century were still equipped with verge escapements; the watchmakers were hesitant to accept new technology and trusted in the robust and low-maintenance verge escapement. However, the verge pocket watches of this time became more elegant and, by using special constructions, much slimmer - the Swiss influence is very distinct. The ebauches were often produced by Japy in France and finished in Switzerland. There is no doubt that this watch has such a background, which is verified by the Swiss case mark from Neuchâtel.

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