Exceptional Discoveries: The Olmsted Complications Collection
Unsigned
A fine, unusual and large pink gold open-faced keyless two train perpetual calendar watch with moon phases, independent centre seconds and additional central jumping seconds hand with stop slide, Circa 1890
Auction Closed
December 8, 10:03 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 12,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Movement: unsigned two-train movement with symmetrical bridge work, tandem winding, superimposed ratchet wheels with wolf’s teeth, lever escapement, highly jewelled, bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel hairspring with overcoil, unusually shaped balance cock with index regulator
Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, recessed subsidiary dials for date, day, and months in French, aperture for moon-phases, gold spade hands, contrasting central seconds hands in blued steel for continuous seconds and gold for jumping independent seconds
Case: 18k pink gold case, pusher beside pendant for engaging hand-setting, stop slide for jumping seconds between 4 and 5 o'clock, Jurgensen-type pendant and bow
Diameter: 57 mm
A highly unusual watch with an extremely fine and attractively symmetrical movement architecture. There are no apparent signatures or maker’s marks on either the movement or the case. Although the movement features very unusual bridgework, it is interesting to compare both its construction and the function of its twin central seconds hands with that of a watch attributed to Audemars Frères (no. 17323), dating to circa 1890, which was sold at Replica Shoes ’s New York on 6 December 2024, lot 175. Intriguingly, one cannot help but also sense the influence of Jules Jürgensen, both in the design of the case and in the distinctive shaping of the movement’s bridges.