- 100
ALBERT G. PIGUET, LE SENTIER | AN EXTREMELY RARE AND VERY FINE OPEN-FACED KEYLESS WATCH BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF RESONANCE WITH DOUBLE LEVER ESCAPEMENT AND TWO GUILLAUME BALANCES, IN ASSOCIATED GOLD CASE WITH EXHIBITION BACK MOVEMENT 1933, NO.220, CASE 1970s
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 CHF
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Description
- AN EXTREMELY RARE AND VERY FINE OPEN-FACED KEYLESS WATCH BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF RESONANCE WITH DOUBLE LEVER ESCAPEMENT AND TWO GUILLAUME BALANCES, IN ASSOCIATED GOLD CASE WITH EXHIBITION BACK MOVEMENT 1933, NO.220, CASE 1970s
- diameter 49mm
• Movement: damascened, single train with differential gearing releasing power to the double lever escapement, two Guillaume balance each with swan-neck precision regulation, 29 jewels, signed Albert G. Piguet, Le Sentier, 1933 • Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, sunken subsidiary seconds, blued steel hands• Case: later purpose-built gold case with glazed back
Provenance
Galerie d'Horlogerie Ancienne, IX, 15 October 1978, lot 248
Antiquorum Geneva, 18-19 April 1998, lot 611 (also illustrated on back cover).
Antiquorum Geneva, 18-19 April 1998, lot 611 (also illustrated on back cover).
Literature
Horological Journal, Feb 1998 and May 1998 (cover image) and page 145.
Condition
Movement: running at time of cataloguing. There is slippage with the winding - this appears to be due to a miss-meshing between the stem's winding wheel and the movement's winding train - pressing slightly on the crown appears to clear the issue so it would appear to need a height adjustment. Handsetting is adjusting. Dial: appears to be in good conditon, may possibly be later, perhaps added when cased in the 1970s. Case: later with Swiss hallmarks for 18ct gold and in good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Albert Piguet (1914-2000) studied at the École d'Horlogerie in the Valée de Joux between 1930 and 1934. A highly gifted pupil, the present watch was executed as an exhibition 'Masterpiece' in 1933, prior to Piguet's graduation. According to an article in the Horological Journal (May 1998, p.145) a total of six watch movements similar to the present were executed between 1932 and 1934 under the supervision of the school's director Marcel Builleumier. Abraham-Louis Breguet was the first to discover the principles of 'resonance'. Breguet's resonance watches introduced two independent movements within the same case and in so doing, Breguet was able to demonstrate that the balances became regulated by the 'resonance' phenomenon, oscillating exactly in step with one other. Rather than using two movements, the present watch uses a single train but with twin guillaume balances, escape wheels and differential gearing - the differential wheel distributes the power from the train to the two escapements.
According to research conducted at the time of the watch's sale at Antiquorum in 1998, which included interviews with Albert Piguet himself, the movement was originally placed in a glazed nickel case of the type usually prepared for observatory contests or exhibition purposes. In the 1970s, the movement was finally cased in gold so that it might be sold.
An exceptional watchmaker, following the completion of his studies at the École d'Horlogerie, Albert Piguet was offered a job at the specialist chronograph manufacturer Lemania. He is perhaps best known for his development of the Lemania calibre CH27 C12 in 1946. At that time, Omega and Lemania were both part of the SSIH and the calibre would later become the legendary Omega calibre 321 as used in the Omega Speedmaster - the first watch on the moon. Albert Piguet developed a number of calibres for Lemania and was the firm's technical director between 1948 and 1980.
According to research conducted at the time of the watch's sale at Antiquorum in 1998, which included interviews with Albert Piguet himself, the movement was originally placed in a glazed nickel case of the type usually prepared for observatory contests or exhibition purposes. In the 1970s, the movement was finally cased in gold so that it might be sold.
An exceptional watchmaker, following the completion of his studies at the École d'Horlogerie, Albert Piguet was offered a job at the specialist chronograph manufacturer Lemania. He is perhaps best known for his development of the Lemania calibre CH27 C12 in 1946. At that time, Omega and Lemania were both part of the SSIH and the calibre would later become the legendary Omega calibre 321 as used in the Omega Speedmaster - the first watch on the moon. Albert Piguet developed a number of calibres for Lemania and was the firm's technical director between 1948 and 1980.