Lot 218

Destain & Dupand, Swiss, 18 x 31 x 8 mm, 14 g, circa 1850
An extraordinary, navette shaped ring watch with visible balance and decorated with enamel and half pearls - with original box
Case: 18k rose gold, the bezel set with half pearls, engraved ring bar. Dial: eccentric white enamel dial with Arabic hours, upper part with a polished disc framed by paste stones and with three curved arms illustrating a visible balance surrounded by light and dark blue enamelled ground with golden flowers. Movm.: moulded movement, virgule escapement.
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.