352 - Bautte & Moynier

Bautte & Moynier A fine, thin Geneva quarter repeating pocket watch with cylinder escapement Movm. No. 35406, Case No. 35406, Dimensions 42 mm, circa 1825, Weight 54 g, Origin Schweiz, Original box, Accessories Case: 18 K gold, guilloché pattern, enamelled monogram. Dial: Two-tone silvered, guilloché centre. Movm.: Bridge movement, keywind, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, going barrel, three-arm gold balance. Jean-Francois Bautte (1772-1837) lost his parents very early and began his apprenticeship at the age of 12; he learned the crafts of case making, engine-turning, watchmaking and also that of a jeweller. From 1779 on Bautte worked with the case maker Moulinié, and the watchmaker Moynier joined the company around 1804; the company called itself "Moulinié, Bautte & Moynier" from then on. At the time Bautte was the most renowned purveyor of watches in Geneva. The perfect workmanship which used only the finest gold and enamel in marvellous colours impressed the customers enormously - such quality was usually only to be found in Paris or London. Unfortunately, the partnership was short-lived. From 1821 to 1826, the company was known as 'Bautte et Moynier', before being renamed 'Bautte & Cie' following Jean-François Bautte's departure to establish his own workshop. During those five years, the apprentices learnt the exceptional techniques and methods of the two craftsmen, going on to produce impressive pieces under the company’s name. As the company grew, it attracted an increasing number of prominent clients. The most famous clients of Bautte & Moynier included various members of European royal families and nobility, such as Queen Victoria and the Duchess of Clermont-Tonnerre. Exquisite pieces by Jean-François Bautte and Gabriel Moynier can now be seen in some of the world's finest museums, including the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and the Girard-Perregaux Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Case: very good. Dial: very good, slightly oxydized. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.