Thomas Engel / Zenith. A fine and highly attractive 18K gold openface keyless lever watch with thermometer, days of the week, moon phases, bow winding and setting mechanism, original certificate, bulletin, spare parts and box

This lot is offered without reserve.

THOMAS ENGEL / ZENITHThermometer, Days of the Week & Moon Phases Watch No. 19The Property of an Important Private CollectorThe following three lots, nos. 3 - 5, are extremely well-preserved examples of Breguet-style timepieces made by the celebrated Professor Thomas Engel in collaboration with Zenith. The watches are all number 19 of their relevant edition, in like new condition and sold with the full set of accessories. Professor Thomas Engel (b. 1927 in Germany, d. 2015 in Switzerland), inventor, author, watch aficionado, collector and maker, was an international coryphée in the field of researching polymers. He held around 120 patents in organic chemistry and was awarded numerous honours and prices, including the 1972 "Diesel Prize" which he jointly won with Dr. Wernher von Braun, one of the most important rocket developers and specialists of space exploration.Professor Engel was not only a famous watch collector but also a passionate "self-made" maker of technically outstanding timepieces. Within the horological community, he is acknowledged for his understanding of the life and works of Abraham Louis Breguet, on whom he also published a biography. His interest spanned beyond the average collector, applying his knowledge and skills to watchmaking, producing watches made in the style and technique of Breguet, such as the following three examples, fitted with Zenith’s cal. 68 movements.

Signed Thomas Engel, Zenith, ‘Chronometre’, No. 19, movement no. 5’537’194, circa 1983

Details

Thomas Engel / Zenith. A fine and highly attractive 18K gold openface keyless lever watch with thermometer, days of the week, moon phases, bow winding and setting mechanism, original certificate, bulletin, spare parts and box
Signed Thomas Engel, Zenith, ‘Chronometre’, No. 19, movement no. 5’537’194, circa 1983
Movement: cal. 68, ‘chronometre’, manual, 17 jewels, signed Zenith
Dial: signed Thomas Engel and Zenith
Case: winding and setting mechanism operated by twisting the bow, glazed dust cover, screw back, 50.6 mm. diam., signed Zenith
With: original Zenith Certificate dated 2 May 1983, C.O.S.C. Bulletin de Marche, instructions, numbered mahogany presentation box containing a spare spring and spare gold Breguet hands

Special Notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Sabine Kegel

skegel@christies.com +41 (0)22 319 1723

Lot Essay

Preserved in like new condition the present watch pays tribute to Abraham Louis Breguet's complicated timepieces, the dial featuring different styles of engine-turning and an off-set layout comprising a thermometer calibrated from 5 to 30 degrees Celsius, days of the week and moon phases.

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