LA MONTRE DU PRINCE NAPOLÉON-JÉRÔME PAR CZAPEK
MERCREDI 15 MAI 2024On May 15th at Hôtel Drouot, Audap & Associés will offer at auction the watch designed by Czapek for Prince Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte (estimate: €20,000-€40,000). The timepiece, presented in its original case, has been kept in the same family since the 19th century. The back of the watch is adorned with a grisaille enamel portrait of the prince by Charles-Louis-François Glardon, known as Glardon-Leubel (1825 – 1887).
The piece is surely one of the most incredible discoveries of the past few years for lovers of Czapek’s complicated watches. It is the only timepiece equipped with a rare complication – the diablotine – as part of its chronograph mechanism, in addition to featuring a grisaille enamel miniature.
The case makes reference to Princess Clothilde, who married Prince Napoléon-Jérôme in 1859, placing the date of creation of this watch between 1859 and the end of the Second Empire in 1870. Only recently rediscovered, this poignant testimonial to history will appeal to historical antiques amateurs as much as watch collectors.
CZAPEK & PATEK
Czapek was one of the most gifted watchmakers of his generation. Moreover, he was the first associate of Antoine Norbert de Patek. The two Polish refugees emigrated to Geneva in 1836 and founded a manufacture named Patek Czapek & Cie in 1839. In their six years of collaboration – during which they would craft exceptional timepieces –, the company became the famous Maison Patek Philippe.
The piece is surely one of the most incredible discoveries of the past few years for lovers of Czapek’s complicated watches. It is the only timepiece equipped with a rare complication – the diablotine – as part of its chronograph mechanism, in addition to featuring a grisaille enamel miniature.
The case makes reference to Princess Clothilde, who married Prince Napoléon-Jérôme in 1859, placing the date of creation of this watch between 1859 and the end of the Second Empire in 1870. Only recently rediscovered, this poignant testimonial to history will appeal to historical antiques amateurs as much as watch collectors.
CZAPEK & PATEK
Czapek was one of the most gifted watchmakers of his generation. Moreover, he was the first associate of Antoine Norbert de Patek. The two Polish refugees emigrated to Geneva in 1836 and founded a manufacture named Patek Czapek & Cie in 1839. In their six years of collaboration – during which they would craft exceptional timepieces –, the company became the famous Maison Patek Philippe.
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| CZAPEK & Cie, Genève Demi-Chronomètre Mid 19e century Gold present watch bearing the effigy of Prince Napoléon-Jérôme with double date and chronophage known as a diablotine Estimation : € 20.000 - 40.000 |
