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24 juin 2026 - Basel Watch Auction
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Provenance

Swiss Owner

Rare and highly unusual, the present watch belongs to the small and historically important group of crucifix-form watches associated with the Geneva tradition. Despite restrictions imposed under Calvinist reforms in the sixteenth century, the production of such devotional timepieces appears to have continued, later re-emerging openly in forms sometimes described as montres d’abbesse. Combining horology, religious symbolism and decorative artistry, these watches were conceived as objects of both private devotion and technical sophistication. The present example, with its multiple calendar indications and enamelled devotional imagery, was almost certainly made for a wealthy Catholic patron in the late eighteenth century. Surviving examples remain exceptionally rare.
Catalogue en ligne 24 juin 2026 - Basel Watch Auction Lot 408

Fite Leschot, à La Chaux-de-Fonds (Swiss, Late 18th century, circa 1780–1800)
A gilt metal devotional crucifix form watch with astronomical indications, ages of the moon, days of the week, month and date indication

Case front: gilt-metal watch constructed in the form of a Latin cross, the rectangular-section case incorporating a central timekeeping dial surrounded by subsidiary calendar and astronomical indications, the principal white enamel dial, signed, with Roman numerals and gilt hands, enclosed within the intersection of the cross-arms and accompanied by four subsidiary enamel dials displaying calendar functions including days of the week, date and month indications, while opening the hinged upper section one can see an open-work with a pierced and engraved aperture revealing the balance spring

Case reverse: centred by a polychrome enamel depiction of Christ on the Cross, derived from Francisco Pacheco’s painting Christ on the Cross , artist of the 17th century influenced by the Spanish catholic iconograhy o fthe Crucifixion. The reverse is further fitted with a suspension ring to the upper arm, underscoring the object’s dual function as both a portable timepiece and a devotional work. Conceived as an object of private devotion, it unites horology, astronomical indication and religious imagery within a single and highly unusual form.

Movement: mechanical movement with key winder from the period, gilt brass cross-shaped movement, chain fusée, verge escapement, pierced and engraved balance cock and foot, plain three arm steel balance, visible on the bottom part of the cross

Dimensions: 94 x 72 mm

Width: 15 mm

Estimation

*CHF 40'000 – 60'000

Provenance

Swiss Owner

Rare and highly unusual, the present watch belongs to the small and historically important group of crucifix-form watches associated with the Geneva tradition. Despite restrictions imposed under Calvinist reforms in the sixteenth century, the production of such devotional timepieces appears to have continued, later re-emerging openly in forms sometimes described as montres d’abbesse. Combining horology, religious symbolism and decorative artistry, these watches were conceived as objects of both private devotion and technical sophistication. The present example, with its multiple calendar indications and enamelled devotional imagery, was almost certainly made for a wealthy Catholic patron in the late eighteenth century. Surviving examples remain exceptionally rare.

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