GRAUPNER, BERLIN | A RARE GOLD AND RUBY RED GLASS MOUNTED SINGLE CASED VERGE WATCH WITH MATCHING CHATELAINECIRCA 1750, NO.197

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, plain flat three-arm balance, decoratively pierced balance bridge engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, silver regulation plate, baluster pillars, fusee and chain, signed and numbered Graupner, Berlin, 197• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, gilt filigree hands, aperture for winding, signed and numbered Graupner, Berlin• Case: the back and bezel of gold mounted red glass, diamond-set thumb-piece• Chatelaine: composed of three ruby red glass panels, each mounted within gold cartouches chased with scrolls and flowers, two similarly decorated pendant chains terminating to one side with a red glass mounted key and to the other in a red glass bonbonnière, the chatelaine backed with gilt-metal panels and pendant hook

Christie's Geneva, 13 May 1981, lot 250

Movement: running at time of cataloguing. Dial: with some chipping around the catch and winding hole Case: glass bezel is currently detached, cracks to glass around the bezel's thumb piece and further crack to base of the bezel. Case back appears to be in generally good overall condition with some small scratches, a few light chips to the inside edge. Chatelaine: glass panels appear to be in good condition. A couple of small splits to the gold chatelaine mounts, signs of heat repair to upper left side.
"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."

Red glass, often referred to as Kunckel glass, was highly prized during the 18th century. Born in Rendsburg, Johann Kunckel von Löwenstjern (1630-1703) was a German chemist whose father was alchemist to the Court of Hollstein. Kunckel became chemist and apothecary to the Dukes of Lauenbeurg and to the Elector of Saxony who put him in charge of the Royal laboratory and glassworks at Brandenburg. Kunckel shared with Robert Boyle, the distinguished English chemist, the discovery of a process to make artificial ruby (red glass). The watchmaker Graupner is listed by Abeler in Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, 1977, p. 221. For a watch by another German maker, signed Stalpp, Dresde, also with ruby red glass case, see: Sotheby's London, 26 February 1998, lot 48.