4 - ANDRÉ HESSEN IN PARIS

ANDRÉ HESSEN IN PARIS 18k gold pocket watch (750 parts per thousand) White enamel dial, black-dot minute track with black-painted Arabic numeral hour markers, black-painted Arabic numeral hour indices, blued hollow-pomme hands. Bezel decorated with a band of blue enamel paint, interspersed with engraved green and gold flowers, between two white borders. Case back decorated at the edge with a band of blue enamel, interspersed with engraved green and gold flowers, between two white bands, the center features a radiating guilloché pattern with blue enamel and a painted decoration depicting the Garden of the Hesperides rendered in grisaille, surrounded by a garland of green and gold leaves and flowers. Mechanical movement with manual winding via a key, balance cock re-drilled with two screws and a jeweled counter-pivot, slider for adjusting the rate, fusee and chain system, verge escapement, marked “HESSEN À PARIS.” The watch was non-functional at the time of appraisal; there is no guarantee of future operation or the condition of the parts. Scratches on the case and glass, damage to the dial, a screw added later to the dial, and a few slight scratches on the painted decoration. The watchmaker André Hessen was recognized for his work aimed at refining watch calibers while ensuring their reliability, all while maintaining a design with the balance wheel positioned on the upper part of the mainplate. Late 18th century. Diameter: 5.6 cm. Gross weight: 90.1 g. Provenance - Martial Lapeyre Collection (1904–1984). - Fondation Napoléon (Paris) following the bequest by Martial Lapeyre in 1984. Exhibitions - Splendors of the Empire: Around Napoleon and the Manderen Imperial Court, Château de Malbrouck (May 15, 2009–August 31, 2009). - Napoleon: Entrepreneur-Emperor, Lorient, Morbihan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (October 23, 2007–November 23, 2007). - Treasures of the Fondation Napoléon. “A Glimpse into the Private Life of the Imperial Court,” Paris, Jacquemart-André Museum (September 27, 2004–May 24, 2005). Lot presented by Mr. Nicolas Amsellem, watch expert (Cabinet Sancy Expertise, Paris).