Case: Two-body, polished, curved lugs, large stainless steel crown at 12, sapphire transparent case back, blue sapphire crystals.
Dial: Off-center minutes and hours, on the movement plate with fausses cotes decoration with painted black 12 Arabic numeral and baton index, off-center seconds at 3 o’clock replaced by a blue perforated wheel, vertical blue stripe decoration repeating on the strap. Blued steel épeé hands.
Movement: Cal. CP 12V-V, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, “Cotes de Geneve” decoration, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, rotor engraved with the “Dandy” pattern. Dial, case and movement signed. Dimensions: 40 mm.
Estimated Price: 10,000 – 15,000
Achieved Price: 4,500
About Chaumet
The soul of Chaumet has emanated from the walls of this private residence since 1907. Built in the reign of Louis XVI, it had already been the setting of many great stories. Mansart designed the facade, and left his architectural mark on the building: clarity, subtlety, rigour, and imagination. Upstairs, in the great XVIII-century reception room – a listed historical monument since 1927 – space and time are suspended through an inventive play on symmetry and perspectives. In his twilight years Frédéric Chopin composed and played under the panelling of this room and…just next door, a second reception room exhibits 150 delicate models of diadems and head jewellery in nickel silver. Dignified princesses, exotic princesses and pirouetting princesses – these exceptional pieces conceal a whole world of power and fairytale magic. Also hung on the wall is a portrait of the Empress Marie-Louise, painted by Robert Lefèvre and acquired by Chaumet in 1975; she was the first sovereign in a long line of princesses that would give their patronage to the House of Chaumet. This painting shows her with jewels created by Marie-Étienne Nitot, founder of this High Jewellery House that today preserves more than two centuries of creation in its archives. The history of France and the history of jewellery come together at Chaumet. A little further on, great name after great name from France and abroad are recorded in the invoice books from 1780 to the present time. A few doors on, the third room dedicated to High Jewellery was revisited by Jean-Michel Wilmotte in 2004 during the refurbishment of the House’s flagship boutique in a contemporary setting, on the lower floor. The period woodwork blends marvellously with modern woods; past and present blend together as one on these walls. In the shadow of the Place Vendôme Column, here is depicted all the spirit of a great House with expertise handed down from generation to generation.