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Lot Essay
With fitted presentation box.
The present timepiece with its superbly decorated solid gold case set with emerald, rubies and diamonds, the back adorned with diamond-set royal blue enamel resembling a starry sky, centred by an enamel miniature depicting the outline of the earth in the night sky illumined by the rays of the rising sun, crescent and planet Venus, impresses furthermore with its weight exceeding 700 grams. Made by the celebrated watchmaker Daniel Vaucher, it is unmistakably fit for a King and was most certainly presented by a French aristocrat to an Ottoman high official, possibly Sultan Abdulhamid I.
Although the meaning of the astronomical scene on the case back is regrettably not known, one can safely conclude that it represents dawn, the constellation of earth, sun, the waning moon and Venus at a precise moment in history. This instant must have been of such significance to the owner of the watch, and perhaps to the Islamic world, that Vaucher was commissioned with its "immortalization" by reproducing it in form of an enamel miniature - another highly unusual aspect further underlining its importance.
Furthermore preserved in excellent overall condition, the present watch must be considered a museum piece destined to occupy a place of honour in the collection of the connoisseur of outstanding timepieces.
Daniel Vaucher
Born in Fleurier in 1716, Vaucher leaves his hometown for Paris in 1760 where, as of 1767, he was active as master watchmaker located in Rue du Pré-aux-Bufs. His timepieces signed "Vauchez en la Cité" became quickly popular amongst wealthy aristocrats. He most probably worked with the celebrated Ferdinand Berthoud and other expatriates of his home region, as well as with his sons Jonas-Frédéric, Jean-Henri-David, François, Jean-Jacques and Samuel who had followed him to Paris. His oldest daughter Isabelle-Salomé also works as a watchmaker.
Several of the watches made by the Vauchers in Paris can be found in the Louvre as well as in other European museums.
The date of Daniel Vaucher's death is unknown but his sons continue the business under the name "Frères Vaucher".
The Vaucher watchmakers of Fleurier
The Vaucher families were decisive in the introduction and development of Fleurier's watch industry, specializing in the manufacture of pocketwatches. In 1750, 28 different Vaucher families were living in Fleurier and although sharing a common ancestor, the members did not consider themselves as closely related. The difference between the families was marked by adding a wedding name or location such as "Vaucher sur-les-Moulins", "Vaucher du Guilleri", "Vaucher-de-la-Croix" or "Vaucher-Ferrier".
Watches with automatons, lavishly decorated cases especially made for aristocratic customers and engraved with Vaucher signature are important witnesses for the work of these gifted watchmakers in Fleurier, Geneva, London and Paris and are considered highlights in museums or private collections and at public auctions.
The present timepiece with its superbly decorated solid gold case set with emerald, rubies and diamonds, the back adorned with diamond-set royal blue enamel resembling a starry sky, centred by an enamel miniature depicting the outline of the earth in the night sky illumined by the rays of the rising sun, crescent and planet Venus, impresses furthermore with its weight exceeding 700 grams. Made by the celebrated watchmaker Daniel Vaucher, it is unmistakably fit for a King and was most certainly presented by a French aristocrat to an Ottoman high official, possibly Sultan Abdulhamid I.
Although the meaning of the astronomical scene on the case back is regrettably not known, one can safely conclude that it represents dawn, the constellation of earth, sun, the waning moon and Venus at a precise moment in history. This instant must have been of such significance to the owner of the watch, and perhaps to the Islamic world, that Vaucher was commissioned with its "immortalization" by reproducing it in form of an enamel miniature - another highly unusual aspect further underlining its importance.
Furthermore preserved in excellent overall condition, the present watch must be considered a museum piece destined to occupy a place of honour in the collection of the connoisseur of outstanding timepieces.
Daniel Vaucher
Born in Fleurier in 1716, Vaucher leaves his hometown for Paris in 1760 where, as of 1767, he was active as master watchmaker located in Rue du Pré-aux-Bufs. His timepieces signed "Vauchez en la Cité" became quickly popular amongst wealthy aristocrats. He most probably worked with the celebrated Ferdinand Berthoud and other expatriates of his home region, as well as with his sons Jonas-Frédéric, Jean-Henri-David, François, Jean-Jacques and Samuel who had followed him to Paris. His oldest daughter Isabelle-Salomé also works as a watchmaker.
Several of the watches made by the Vauchers in Paris can be found in the Louvre as well as in other European museums.
The date of Daniel Vaucher's death is unknown but his sons continue the business under the name "Frères Vaucher".
The Vaucher watchmakers of Fleurier
The Vaucher families were decisive in the introduction and development of Fleurier's watch industry, specializing in the manufacture of pocketwatches. In 1750, 28 different Vaucher families were living in Fleurier and although sharing a common ancestor, the members did not consider themselves as closely related. The difference between the families was marked by adding a wedding name or location such as "Vaucher sur-les-Moulins", "Vaucher du Guilleri", "Vaucher-de-la-Croix" or "Vaucher-Ferrier".
Watches with automatons, lavishly decorated cases especially made for aristocratic customers and engraved with Vaucher signature are important witnesses for the work of these gifted watchmakers in Fleurier, Geneva, London and Paris and are considered highlights in museums or private collections and at public auctions.