Lot 185

Du Pont, Genève, 33 x 18 x 9 mm, 17 g, circa 1820
An extraordinary, navette shaped paste stone-set ring watch with visible diamond-set balance
Case: 18k rose gold. Dial: enamel. Movm.: moulded movement.
Ring watches
Even as early as in the 16th century watchmakers were fascinated by the idea of fitting a watch into a ring – however, only a few of them managed such a feat. This did not change during the 19th century; any successful attempt to create a watch of this kind brought immediate fame to its maker, especially if the watch found a prominent buyer. It was probably James Widman's ring watch that was worn by the Duke of Mantua and Antoine Rojard’s fame based itself on Napoleon Bonaparte's watch – even the young John Arnold was able to present an exquisite ring watch to King George III of England; this immediately made him a celebrated watchmaker.
This ring watch was created by watchmaker Du Pont in Geneva; its case is lavishly decorated with paste stones and the key is likely to be original.