GERMAN | A SILVER-GILT, GILT-METAL AND ROCK CRYSTAL WATCH IN THE FORM OF A TULIP BUD WITH LATER CUSTOM-MADE VERGE MOVEMENTCASE CIRCA 1630, MOVEMENT BY A. ANTO. LASACHER, COLLN, CIRCA 1730

• Movement: later gilded full plate oval, verge escapement, the cock decoratively pierced and engraved with Continental arms with a helmet surmounted by a winged demi-horse, the neck with two hands clasped, plain flat steel balance with spring, silver regulation disc, fusee and chain, faceted baluster pillars • movement signed A Anto. Lasacher, Colln• Dial: of contemporary date to the movement, silver-gilt champlevé, Roman numerals with half hour markers between, inner quarter hour divisions, outer Arabic minute ring, the centre with semi-circular banner engraved Colln, outer border gilded and engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, later hands• Case: silver-gilt frame chased and engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, three hinged panels with later rock crystal panels of bulbous oval form, the two covering the movement with central recessed channel, pendant in the form of a flower stalk, short rounded terminal

Antiquorum Geneva, 16 October 2005, lot 330

Dial: Tarnished and gilding to central plate has dulled, some small losses to the wax infill to the numerals. There appears to be traces of gilding to the main silver body of the case. Wear to gilding of bezels, one rock crystal panel slightly loose. Cover: Closes securely. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing.
"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."

Tulips were and are, of course, a well-loved flower. The price of tulip bulbs boomed in the 1630s only to implode at the end of the decade. Fortunes were made and lost. Silver cases cast in the form of tulip buds are known from the period, however, this example carved from rock crystal is especially unusual. The oval movement of the watch was custom made by the 18th century maker A. Anton Lasacher and designed to fit the shape of the case. Lasacher's movement would have replaced a single-handed pre-balance spring movement that would originally have been fitted to the case. Although it is possible that the original movement was damaged, requiring replacement, it is perhaps more likely that the owner of the case, admiring its beauty, simply wanted an updated movement that was both more accurate (by having a balance spring) and more practical by the addition of a second hand for minute indication.  Alberten Lasacher is recorded in Baillie, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, as working in Cologne circa 1730.

For an example of a similarly tulip-formed watch, see:  Sotheby's London, The Edward Hornby Collection, December 1978, lot 15, and Sotheby's London, The English Watch Part 1, 15 December 2015, lot 17.