Lot 425

Louis Duchêne & Comp., Movement No. 32389, 46 mm, 77 g, circa 1780
A marvellous, ornamental pocket watch, lavishly decorated case pavé-set with half-pearls, diamonds and rubies
Case: 18k rose gold, half-pearls, diamonds and rubies. Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance.
This pocket watch is particularly striking because of its magnificent ornamentation; the back of the watch and the bezels on both sides are entirely studded with pavé-set half-pearls. A large flower-shaped yellow diamond sits in the centre and is surrounded by small petals of white diamonds and rubies.
Provenance: Christie's, Geneva, May 10, 1983, lot 157.
The company Duchêne was founded by Louis Duchêne (1730-1804) in Geneva around 1750. The company signed its products with Duchêne & Cie. from 1770 until 1790; in 1791 the company name changed to Louis Duchêne & Fils and traded under that name until 1820. The two sons of Louis Duchêne, Jacob Etienne Duchêne and Jacob Louis Duchêne were partners in the firm. Watches by Duchêne carry varying signatures on the dials, cases and movements.
Source: https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Louis_Duch%C3%AAne_%26_Cie, as of 07/04/2017