We rarely have the opportunity to have several centuries of time history before our eyes.
This is what the Aguttes auction house is offering with its
“A History of Time”
sale on Wednesday 28 September in Neuilly.
A selection spanning the entire history of watchmaking since the end of the Middle Ages.
The horological art presented during this session covers a period of more than 500 years.
A Memento Mori watch.
Aguttes
We can thus notice an astonishing shaped silver watch called
“Memento-Mori”
, from the middle of the 17th century (6000 - 8000 €).
With its skull-shaped case, the jaw articulates on a hinge, with a ring to hang in the upper part.
Its silver dial features Roman numerals, with a single hand.
A perfect example of the Puritan period which was born in England in the middle of the 17th century under the influence of Calvinism.
Between watchmaking and religion.
Aguttes
Another piece offered in this sale: a watch in gilt metal and rock crystal in the shape of a cross from the middle of the 17th century, signed on the plate Fonnereau, from La Rochelle (€15,000 - 20,000).
This example of a crucifix watch can be compared to the finest creations of this watchmaker who settled in La Rochelle.
Just rotate the main body of the watch to see its movement.
Its silvered dial is engraved with a lake scene, as well as floral and foliage motifs around the perimeter, the figure of Christ in the lower part, a lantern, a rooster and a jar in the upper part.
Its key-wound mechanical movement sports a plate decorated with foliage and flowers in relief, with a spiral pre-balance.
A crucifix watch made in La Rochelle.
Aguttes
Another era, another time: this sale offers a surprisingly revolutionary silver watch with double decimal duo reading (€1,000 - €1,500).
A piece from the end of the 18th century signed on the lock "Courvoisier à Paris N 653".
Its white enamel dial features a double reading at 10 hours and 100 minutes, twice 12 hours, and a date indication at 30 days.
In this same sale is another watch from the same period, double-sided, with display of the Gregorian and Republican calendar.
Its front dial in white enamel displays Arabic numerals, Gregorian calendar with advance/delay indication and auxiliary dials for the indication of the days of the week, date, month.
Its back dial in white enamel with a single hand allows the indication of decimal hours.
Back to revolutionary time.
Aguttes
A history of time - Aguttes Neuilly
164 bis, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
Wednesday September 28, 2022, 2.30 p.m.
Exhibition by appointment
Until Friday September 23
Public exhibition
Monday September 26 and Tuesday September 27: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday, September 28: 10 a.m. - 12
p.m. aguttes.com
