Smith & Son - The New York Watch Auction: X New York Saturday, June 8, 2024 | Phillips

The New York Watch Auction: X

紐約拍賣 2024年6月8至9日

  • 製造商: Smith & Son
    年份: 1899
    機芯編號: 148-99
    錶殼號碼: 148-99
    材料: 18K yellow gold
    機芯: Manual, gilt brass three quarter plate English lever movement, 38 jewels
    尺寸: 59mm Diameter
    簽名: Case and cuvette stamped SS, case with London hallmarks for 1899-1900, dial signed S. Smith & Son 9 Strand, London 148-99, movement signed S. Smith & Son, 9 Strand, London, 148-99, Makers to the Admiralty, case, cuvette, dial and movement numbered.
    來源: Habsburg Feldman of Geneva, October 21, 1990, lot 147

  • 來源

    Habsburg Feldman of Geneva, October 21, 1990, lot 147

  • 圖錄文章

    Grande Complication timepieces are the pinnacle of watchmaking providing a fascinating window into horology’s past with some of the most intriguing watches ever produced. They are mechanical works of art produced by very few makers, bringing together multiple, high complications: a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar, and a split-seconds chronograph to produce one of the most complex and enduring collectable watches today. Each function not only works individually, but also together for an incomparable mechanism that showcases the greatness of a maker. The craftsmanship and expertise required to create such watches are truly exceptional, making them extremely rare and coveted masterpieces in the world of horology.

    Without a doubt, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the finest watches in the world were being produced by British makers, and are now cherished by collectors for their rarity, complexity, and beauty. The present S. Smith & Son “Grande Complication” combining a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and perpetual calendar with moon phase, is a true masterpiece from the turn of the 20th century.

    With two similar examples, numbered 148-2 and 148-3, held in the Clockmakers Company Museum, London, as well as number 148-1 featured in an advertisement of the period, it’s believed to be one of only four ever made.

    The history of horology is fully embodied by this pocket watch and its masterful craftsmanship a shining example of exceptional British watchmaking. The massive (239.1grams/0.5 pounds) 59mm diameter hunter case is comprised of four components crafted from solid 18 karat gold, exhibiting the best of English standards with the use of 5-knuckle hinges for the inner cuvette and front and back covers. Stamped “SS” for Smith and Sons, along with London hallmarks for 1899 on the case, the watch features a slide mechanism at 6 o’clock for the minute repeater, chiming the hours, quarters, and minutes on two gongs. The split-seconds chronograph is activated by two pushers at 11 and 1 o’clock with the elapsed time indicated via the 60 minute recorder within the sub-dial at 12 o’clock that is combined with the leap year indication and months of the year.

    The lovely white enamel dial with Roman numerals elegantly presents multiple subsidiary dials indicating the day of the week and date, along with running seconds combined with an aperture for the moon phase. Made and signed by by Frederick Willis, his dials were of the highest quality used by the very best British makers in their most important watches.

    The present watch has not been seen in public since it was first offered at auction in 1990. Research indicates the movement was supplied by Nicole Nielson. The watch was submitted to the Kew Observatory for testing in 1899 and entered in the ‘Complicated Category’, where it achieved an ‘A’ certificate with 70.4 marks. The watch is in excellent overall condition and very well preserved. The minute repeater has a magnificent tone that is both loud and sonorous.

    Throughout history, British horology has exemplified the spirit of ingenuity and innovation, and the present S. Smith & Son pocket watch is a testament to this outstanding legacy. A watch connoisseur’s dream, this Grande Complication is an ultimate example of the best of British watchmaking.

PROPERTY FROM A PRESTIGIOUS FAMILY COLLECTION

90

Smith & Son

Smith & Son，極度罕有、重要，黃金三問追針獵殼萬年曆懷錶，備月相顯示。

1899
59mm Diameter
Case and cuvette stamped SS, case with London hallmarks for 1899-1900, dial signed S. Smith & Son 9 Strand, London 148-99, movement signed S. Smith & Son, 9 Strand, London, 148-99, Makers to the Admiralty, case, cuvette, dial and movement numbered.

估價
$40,000 - 80,000 
CHF36,400-72,700
€36,800-73,600
HK$312,000-624,000

成交價$139,700

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The New York Watch Auction: X

紐約拍賣 2024年6月8至9日