98th Auction
2018/11/10
Lot 81
Fred. Courvoisier, Chaux-de-Fonds, Case No. 4567, 75 x 51 x 11 mm, circa 1850
A rare "Carnet du Bal" ("Dance Card Box") with watch in a secret compartment
Case: 18k gold and polychrome enamel. Dial: enamel. Movm.: bridge movement, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance.
Rectangular case with floral engraving. The front is decorated with a hinged oval gold and enamel plaque with polychrome painting of a lady on horseback, which conceals a small watch movement. Pusher for opening. The interior holds paper slips and a gold-set pencil, with matching winding key.
Swiss watchmaker Frédéric-Alexandre Courvoisier was born on June 1, 1799 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the son of Louis Courvoisier and Julie Houriet. Courvoisier trained in Geneva, Couvet and Basel; he was a highly gifted maker who came from a renowned watchmaking dynasty. He was also a member of parliament and involved in the peaceful revolution of March 1, 1848, which liberated the Canton of Neuchâtel from Prussian rule. To promote his timepieces for export, he travelled extensively in Europe, Russia, Egypt and Turkey. Courvoisier died on December 10, 1854.
The Musée International d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds owns several pieces made by Frédéric-Alexandre Courvoisier.
Source: https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Courvoisier,_Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric-Alexandre, as of 09/21/2018
A rare "Carnet du Bal" ("Dance Card Box") with watch in a secret compartment
Case: 18k gold and polychrome enamel. Dial: enamel. Movm.: bridge movement, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance.
Rectangular case with floral engraving. The front is decorated with a hinged oval gold and enamel plaque with polychrome painting of a lady on horseback, which conceals a small watch movement. Pusher for opening. The interior holds paper slips and a gold-set pencil, with matching winding key.
Swiss watchmaker Frédéric-Alexandre Courvoisier was born on June 1, 1799 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the son of Louis Courvoisier and Julie Houriet. Courvoisier trained in Geneva, Couvet and Basel; he was a highly gifted maker who came from a renowned watchmaking dynasty. He was also a member of parliament and involved in the peaceful revolution of March 1, 1848, which liberated the Canton of Neuchâtel from Prussian rule. To promote his timepieces for export, he travelled extensively in Europe, Russia, Egypt and Turkey. Courvoisier died on December 10, 1854.
The Musée International d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds owns several pieces made by Frédéric-Alexandre Courvoisier.
Source: https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Courvoisier,_Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric-Alexandre, as of 09/21/2018
Sold
estimated
10.000—15.000 €
Price realized
17.400 €