A Pierre Romilly gold, enamel and gem set quarter repeating…
click the photo to enlarge
A Pierre Romilly gold, enamel and gem set quarter repeating verge pocket watch, with gilt fusee movement, three arm balance, eccentric winding hole. The movement signed 'Romilly a. Paris 1344 8/67'. White Roman numeral dial with Arabic numeral chapter ring signed Romilly, scroll diamond set hands. The case decorated profusely with enamelled, engraved and chased decoration, diamond set bezel, diamond thumb piece and pendant and mounts. The inner case signed 'Romilly' on the side. The case back with an oval enamelled portrait of a young woman signed D. Petitot. Paris, circa 1780. Diameter: 40 mm. Provenance: Sotheby's, Geneva, 12th May 1988, lot 71, the collection of Dr Trevor Hyde, Sydney, acquired from the above

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Bezel - On a clock or watch, the bezel is the metal frame into which the watch or clock glass is fitted. In clocks, the bezel may include a hinge and a flange, in effect a door to the face of the clock. In jewellery the bezel is a band of metal with a projecting lip that holds the gemstone in its setting.
  • Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
  • Chapter Ring - A separate metal plate on the face of a clock, on which the numerals for the hours and sometimes parts of the hours, are displayed, usually wheel shaped and sitting on top of the dial plate. The chapter ring is often a feature of the clock and can be silvered or enamelled to stand as a contrast to its background. The hours are usually shown in Roman numerals, although in the late 19th and earlt 20th century, Arabic numerals became fashionable.
  • Chased Decoration - Chased decoration on silver and other metal wares refers to a technique used by silversmiths in which designs are created by hammering or incising the surface of the silver to create raised or recessed patterns. This technique is often used to create intricate and detailed designs on silverware, jewellery, and other decorative items.
  • Fusee - The fusee movement was used in clocks and pocket watches from the mid 17th century. The fusee is a cone shaped drum within the works that is linked to the barrel of the spring, usually by a length of chain.

    As the mainspring loses its tension over time, the cone shaped barrel compensates for this by increasing the tension, by pulling the mainspring tighter, thus ensuring the time remains constant.

    Use of the fusee in clocks was superseded by the "going barrel" in the mid 19th century and for pocket watches at the beginning of the 19th century.

    The fusee continued to be used in marine chronometers until the 1970s.
  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

An antique enamel, seed pearl and gilt open face watch made for the Chinese market by Bovet Fleurier, circa 1820, 63 mm. With signed polished steel movement, duplex escapement, glazed dust cover, white enamelled dial with Roman numerals, centre seconds wit

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Pocket watch: a lady's 18ct yellow gold and enamel open face pocket watch. 28 mm.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Late 19th century open face fob watch back cover stamped 9ct 3 cm diameter

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A gentleman's gold openface pocket watch by Savory & Sons, London, circa 1847. Key wind. 41 mm. Gold dial and painted black Roman numerals. Movement signed and numbered 17259. 18ct yellow gold. London hallmarks.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.