16th Nov, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver
2144
Vixa: A Rare French Military Pilots Type 20 Chronograph Wristwatch, signed Vixa, model: Type 20, 1954, (calibre 15) manual wound lever movement stamped Germany and numbered 5013, black dial with luminous Arabic numerals, outer fifth of seconds track, two dials for seconds and 30 minute register, steel case with buttons in the band to operate chronograph, rotating reeded bezel, screw back numbered 5100 54 6844 P and engraved with military marks FG 5/56, FG 26/12/62, FG 20/12/63, FG 10/3/65, FG 20/1/68, FG 12/4/69, FG 20/3/80 and FG 8/6/83
39mm wide
The Vixa Type 20 was built in 1954 with the case and movement made by the German company Hanhart. The company "Vixa" was named after a late president of Timex Watches France. (Timex had a factory in Besançon until 1960.) After the Second World War, the Black Forest was part of the French Occupation Zone, so Hanhart produced chronographs under the Vixa name for the French forces. These deliveries were part of the German reparation payments to France. An estimated 4000-5000 Vixa Type 20 chronographs were supplied to the French military. The Vixa 39mm size cases like this example was supplied to the French Air Force and the case back was engraved with the numbers 5100 54.
Sold for £1,600
Estimated at £800 - £1,200
Case with surface scratches, case with very minor dents in parts, back cover with small opening tool scratches, strap is missing, plexi glass with small scratches, crown is rubbed and discoloured, original dial finish in good condition, hand setting correctly and winding smoothly, chronograph is working, chronograph hands are returning back to zero when pressing the chronograph flyback button, movement in going order.
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Auction: Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 16th Nov, 2024
A spectacular life-size silver fox, modelled in the late 19th century by famed Victorian taxidermist James Rowland Ward, will be offered for sale with an estimate of £25,000-35,000 (all figures exclude buyer's premium). The model was presented to Sir Bache Cunard, legendary huntsman and scion of the Cunard shipping family, as a testimonial for his services to hunting in South Leicestershire and was paid for by subscription by members of his hunt.
In a superb offering of watches in the sale is an interesting selection of vintage pieces, with early and rare examples. The earliest wristwatch in the sale is a good Rolex: 18 Carat Two-Coloured Gold ‘Prince Brancard’ Watch (ref: 971) dating from the 1930s (estimate: £4,000-5,000). One of the rarest watches is a 1951 Omega: 14 Carat Rose Gold ‘Museum Cosmic’ Triple Calendar Moonphase Wristwatch (ref:3944) (estimate: £14,000-16,000). Reference 3944 was the first watch in Omega’s Cosmic line; it was made in three different metals, rose gold like the present example, being the rarest.
Period jewellery in the sale is led by a dazzling Art Deco Diamond Double Clip Brooch by Le Roy et Fils Ltd (estimate: £5,000-7,000). There is also a good offering of impressive rings in the sale, most notably a Diamond Cluster Ring (estimate: £15,000-20,000). Modernist jewellery is also a strong feature, with a good selection on offer by the likes of Leo de Vroomen, Andrew Grima, Alan Gard, Thomas A Payne and Kutchinsky.
Viewing
Sunday 10th November to Thursday 14th November 11am-4pm, Friday 15th November 8am-4pm, and morning of the sale from 8am
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