Lot 117
117
Achard. A very fine and rare 18K gold openface keywound watch with dead centre seconds, stop feature and virgule escapement
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more
Achard. A very fine and rare 18K gold openface keywound watch with dead centre seconds, stop feature and virgule escapement

Signed Ge. Achard, Pere & Fils a Geneve, no. 15958, circa 1795

Details
Achard. A very fine and rare 18K gold openface keywound watch with dead centre seconds, stop feature and virgule escapement
Signed Ge. Achard, Pere & Fils a Geneve, no. 15958, circa 1795
Movement: matte gilt full plate, chain fusée, virgule escapement, foliate engraved cock pierced with the maker’s name “GACHARD&F”, diamond endstone, lever for stop feature at the edge of the dial plate
Dial: white enamel, Arabic numerals, outer dead seconds track, polished steel hands with blued tips
Case: two-body, polished, gilt-metal dust cover
Signed: dial, movement and dust cover
Dimensions: 56 mm. diam.
Special Notice
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

Lot Essay

In exceptional condition and of superb quality with perfect enamel dial, the present watch is not only a beautiful example of the restrained and elegant Directoire style, in addition it is a horological rarity. The virgule escapement was never widely used because of its extreme delicacy and the difficulty of its construction, therefore watches with this escapement were made in small numbers and even fewer survive today. In the present watch, Achard’s use of the virgule escapement enables the centre seconds to move at one-second intervals instead of a sweeping action. Georges and Jean-François Achard were a father and son partnership working in Geneva, their association ended in 1796.

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