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Lot Essay
US$10,000-15,000
With later fitted presentation box and key.
Since their first appearance in the 16th century, ring watches have always been emanating great fascination, be it because of their decorative aspect, be it the horological tour de force needed to construct a perfectly functioning movement of, for the period, such small size to be set into a piece of jewellery. Production of these extraordinary pieces required exceptional skills and was therefore exclusively executed by the best watchmakers, jewellers and enamellers of the time, these masterworks reserved for their most distinguished and wealthy clientele.
Particularly en vogue between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries, these ring watches represented an alternative to traditional jewellery. Their shapes varied from round and oval to rectangular, the bezels of the most luxurious examples were decorated with pearls or diamonds, those with the addition of a complication with off-centred dials allowing space for a visible balance.
With later fitted presentation box and key.
Since their first appearance in the 16th century, ring watches have always been emanating great fascination, be it because of their decorative aspect, be it the horological tour de force needed to construct a perfectly functioning movement of, for the period, such small size to be set into a piece of jewellery. Production of these extraordinary pieces required exceptional skills and was therefore exclusively executed by the best watchmakers, jewellers and enamellers of the time, these masterworks reserved for their most distinguished and wealthy clientele.
Particularly en vogue between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries, these ring watches represented an alternative to traditional jewellery. Their shapes varied from round and oval to rectangular, the bezels of the most luxurious examples were decorated with pearls or diamonds, those with the addition of a complication with off-centred dials allowing space for a visible balance.