Millard. A rare and early gilt brass openface oignon verge watch with mock pendulum

This lot is offered without reserve.

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTOR Lots no. 43 to 51 and 368 to 380, assembled by an important private collector, represent an attractive selection of fine timepieces dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries, importance given to horological complications. These epitomes of European watchmaking are characterized by the savoir-faire of their makers, ranking amongst the most celebrated maître horlogers of all times. The first part offered in this sale, lots 43 to 51, comprises a selection of late 17th and early 18th century watches made in Switzerland, France and England, including an exceedingly rare English "Puritan" watch dating from around 1676, distinguished by the uncommon feature of a gold case (lot 46), an early two train alarm watch made in Geneva around 1690 and two so-called French "oignon" timepieces. Lots 368 to 380 in the second session of this auction include a rare silver pocket chronometer made in the workshop of Abraham-Louis Breguet, of Swiss origin and unquestionably one of the world's most prominent watchmakers. Highly appreciated by nobility, this chronometer, lot 373, was sold to the Russian General and minister of finances Alexander Dimitrievitch Gourieff in 1841. Notable also the quarter repeating watch by Robin featuring his revolutionary lever movement, lot 373. Switzerland is prominently represented by an attractive selection of late 19th/early 20th centuries repeating and automaton watches, notably a very rare example retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York combining two time zones, minute repeating, a split seconds chronograph and a regulator-style dial, lot 380.

Millard. A rare and early gilt brass openface oignon verge watch with mock pendulum

SIGNED MILLARD À PARIS, CIRCA 1710

Details

Millard. A rare and early gilt brass openface oignon verge watch with mock pendulum
Signed Millard à Paris, circa 1710
Gilt brass verge movement, chain fusée, rack and pinion regulator with calibrated silver disk, large balance cock with chased and engraved foliage and bird decoration, curved aperture to the lower part for the circular mock pendulum, finely chased and engraved foliage decorated gilt dial, dark blue Roman numerals on white enamel cartouches, single blued steel fleur-de-lys hand, inner white enamel ring with half-hour scale, large circular gilt and leather-covered case, movement signed
59 mm. diam.

Special Notice

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Lot Essay

The false or "mock pendulum" was a particularly popular decoration around 1700, featuring a small arm visible through an aperture and moving in unison with the balance, resembling a pendulum usually found in clocks.

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