Lot 467

Charles Edouard Lardet, Fleurier, Swiss, Movement No. 4045, Case No. 4045, 51 mm, 144 g, circa 1880
An exquisite hunting case astronomical watch with perpetual calendar and moon phase
Case: 18k gold, engine-turned, glazed movement. Dial: enamel. Movm.: 3/4 plate movement, gold screw compensation balance.
Charles Edouard Lardet (1832-1904) wurde in Fleurier in der Schweiz geboren. Die von ihm gegründete Firma belieferte unter anderem den arabischen Markt – was wohl hinter seiner Entscheidung stand, eine Werkstatt in Madrid zu eröffnen, um damit näher an den Zielmärkten zu sein als von der Schweiz aus. It was lucky that the painter Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918) not only devoted himself to the Spanish master painters when he travelled the country in 1878/1879 - he also took the time to paint Lardet's workshop as well as probably Lardet himself. We know from letters that Lardet supported the young artist during his stay in Madrid. The art museum in Lucerne has a lovingly painted and very detailed view of a watchmaker's workshop, created by one of the most important Swiss painters in the 19th century.