JEAN VALLIER, À LYON | AN EXCEPTIONAL GOLD AND POLYCHROME ENAMEL WATCH CIRCA 1630

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced pinned-on balance cock engraved with flowers and foliage, later flat brass balance, wheel and click set-up, fusee and gut line, turned baluster pillars, signed J Vallier à Lyon• Dial: gold champlevé enamel with translucent green, orange and red polychrome enamel flowers against a white enamel ground, an opaque turquoise enamel flower above 12 o'clock, chapter ring with gold Roman numerals against a deep blue translucent enamel ground, broken blued steel turned hand• Case: case, bezel and pendant similarly decorated

Dial: Multiple hairline cracks, with some loss of enamel to the flower heads, small chips, repairs to the white enamel running along the edge in an arc by the catch, further repairs to the enamel by the gold tags (which locate the dial in the lower case). The blued steel hand is broken in half and rusty. Case:The case also with some loss to the enamel of the flower heads, small chips, several hairline cracks especially close to the catch where there are also repairs both to the enamel (also to the bezel close to the catch). Some further areas of repair including to the left case side. Movement: Not running, there are signs of rust and the movement appears to be seized. Wheel and click are rusty.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

The case of this watch is richly decorated with cloisonné and champlevé enamels, their vibrant colours lend the watch a jewel like quality. In the early part of the 17^th century, French cases were amongst the finest in Europe and the city of Lyon was an important centre of watchmaking. Jean Vallier, who worked in Lyon, was one of the most important makers of the period and in 1602 he became a master watchmaker. Tardy notes in his Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français that Vallier was a journeyman from 1590-1596, was married in 1605 to Madeleine Noytolon and died in 1649. One of the most famous watches by Jean Vallier may be found in the collections of the British Museum and is illustrated in Watches by David Thompson (British Museum 2008), pp.34-35.