Bonna Frères. Belle et insolite montre convertie... Lot n° 18

Bonna Frères. Belle et insolite montre convertie en pendentif en métal doré sertie de perles et diamants, à répétition des quarts et balancier à 3 bras visible Bonna Frères. A fine and unusual gilt metal, pearl and diamond set quarter repeating ring watch converted to a pendant with visible 3-arm balance Date: Circa 1790 and later Movement: Verge, quarter repeating on one bell Dial: White enamel eccentric dial with black Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with Arabic numeral quarter hour markers, blued steel Breguet style hands, visible diamond set 3-arm balance at 12 Case: Converted ring watch now mounted in pearl and paste set pendant Signed: Case Size: 43mm x 52mm Weight: 35,20g Footnotes: Ring watches are first recorded in the 16th Century and have long been popular with collectors. This example is very rare having a mechanism for repeating striking on a miniature bell, an exceptional feat of miniaturisation that would be challenging to execute even today. Truly bridging the gap between jewellery and watchmaking, a ring watch was a novel luxury for the rich who would have admired its miniature intricacies. The current lot has at some point been converted from a ring watch, as evident from the pin holes to the case back, into a pendant watch to be worn upon a chain. Typical of the best examples from the early 19th century, it has been mounted with a seed pearl set surround. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com