• Movement: gilded full plate cruciform, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved screwed-on balance cock and foot, flat three-arm brass balance, worm and wheel set-up, fusee and gut line, lyre-shaped pillars, signed Charles Bobinet • Dial: silver engraved with flowers, foliage and a dolphin, chapter ring with Roman numerals and half-hour divisions, set upon a gilded plate engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, blued steel hand• Case: multi-faceted rock crystal covers to front and back, gilt metal mounts, short gilded pendant and terminal

Antiquorum Geneva, The Evolution of Forms in Horology, 16-17 November 2002, lot 27

Dial: Appears to be in good overall condition. Rock crystal to the front cover is cracked across its width at the top of the lower length this crack is also chipped towards its centre. Cover: Closes securely. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing. A couple of small pin holes beneath the foot of the balance cock where the cock has previously been pinned. A further hole to the backplate just above the centre of the worm and wheel set-up.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Another watch by Charles Bobinet, also cruciform, with rock crystal covers and of a similar decorative scheme to the present watch, may be found in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (museum number M.560.1910). Further rock crystal watches by Charles Bobinet are located at the Metropolitan Museum, New York (silver, rock crystal and enamel in cruciform) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (scalloped-shaped rock crystal case). In addition to the cruciform watch mentioned above, the Victoria and Albert Museum have a further rock crystal watch by Charles Bobinet with a scalloped-shaped case. Charles Bobinet (1610-1678) is listed by O. Patrizzi in his Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois (Antiquorum Editions, 1998) where the author notes that, although Bobinet was a Swiss maker, he occasionally signed his watches 'Paris' perhaps for commercial reasons. Bobinet is also listed by Baillie, Britten and Tardy.