| LOT 241 |
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| “Four Independent Time Zones- for the North African Islamic Market”
Chantelot a Marseille, No. 19415, 19416 & 19417. Made for the Islamic market, circa
1800.
Fine, very rare and unusual, large, 18K gold pocket watch with four independent dials for different time
zones.
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| C. Four-body, “Empire”, polished bezels, reeded band, the back cover engine-turned with a “sunray” pattern and
central vacant cartouche. Gilt metal cuvette. D. Four, small, white enamel with Islamic numerals, outer minute
track and Islamic five-minute numerals, matte gilt dial plate finely engraved with foliage and central signature.
Blued steel “Breguet” hands. M. Four, 24 mm., frosted gilt, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement
with micrometric potence adjustment, brass balance, flat balance spring, continental balance cock, silver regulation
dial.
Dial, cuvette and three of the movements signed.
Diam. 72 mm.
Property of a European Gentleman
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Estimate: 45,000 CHF - 55,000 CHF
Estimate: 28,000 EUR - 35,000 EUR
Estimate: 37,000 USD - 45,000 USD
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Grading system
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| Watches with provision for showing time in more than one place are very rare before the late 19th century when true
“world time” watches were first made. Before this, watches such as the present piece are very occasionally found with
multiple movements and dials for keeping the time in different places. Before the advent of mass travel, there was
little need for people to know the time in other places and the only people who would be interested in this were sailors
and frequent voyagers. The present watch being of such high grade and therefore cost, is likely to have been made either
for a rich sea captain (probably based in the port of Marseille) or as a gift for the Sultan. The present watch is exceptional
for several reasons, the very large size, the quality of the case and dial and the provision for four time zones at
such an early date.
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Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks
13-05-2007 |
Sold including buyer's premium:
76,700 CHF |
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