Important Swiss gold watch Vacheron Constantin Circa 1930
- Kenmerk
- SA0715
- Diameter
- -
- Estimate
- € 100.000 - 200.000
- Price sold
- € 187.000
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An important Swiss extremely rare yellow gold, enamel and pearl-set open-faced watch with enamel scene “Le Temps et les Parques” painted by Jeanne Vauthey, circa 1930, nickel lever movement, 17 jewels, mono-metallic balance, 18k yellow gold hinged cuvette.
hinged case back with polychrome enamel painting Le Temps et les Parques with three female figures spinning, measuring and cutting a yarn, partially robed in rose, azure and aubergine, representing the Fates, overseen by Chronos, the painting signed by J. Vauthey, case, cuvette, dial and movement signed.
Signed: Vacheron and Constantin Geneve
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Accompanied by a Vacheron Constantin Certificate of Authenticity confirming manufacture with enamel scene by J. Vauthey reproducing the painting ‘Le Temps et les Parques’ by Pieter Thys in 1930.
Mlle. Jeanne Vauthey is recorded in the Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois by O. Patrizzi as being a painter of enamels, with a career lasting for over 25 years. Her mastery of the medium is evident in the exquisitely rendered ‘Le Temps et les Parques’ in the present lot. The enamel is done after the painting by the Flemish artist Pieter Thys (1644-1677). This work is presently part of the collection of the Musées d’Art et d’Histoire de Genève.
This watch is among a celebrated few Vacheron Constantin watches from the early twentieth century featuring a painted enamel scene. Unlike scenes depicting landscapes or still-lifes, the rendering of figures in motion, such as the present lot’s four characters, was a particular challenge to the artist. Collectors today prize such pieces for the miniature paintings, which adds a masterpiece of artistic achievement to the technical wonder of the watch movement.
The scene depicted in the present example, Le Temps et les Parques, is of the Three Fates, who spin, measure and cut a length of yarn in an allegory for destiny. This subject is repeated throughout Greek and Roman mythologies. A study of enamel watches by Vacheron Constantin that have appeared suggests this watch is among very few to include this quantity of figures, and is the only one offered to feature a pearl-set bezel.
Today, Vacheron Constantin continues the time-honored tradition of enamel work in its contemporary Métiers d’Art collection.
This watch has remained with the same family for three generations.
Signed: Vacheron Constantin Geneve
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