16th Nov, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver
2143
Auricoste: A Rare French Military Type 20 Chronograph Wristwatch, signed J Auricoste, model: Type 20, 1954, (calibre Lemania 2040) manual wound lever movement signed and numbered 329659, 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 bezel, snap-on back numbered 9-54 5.099-54 258199 and engraved with military marks FG 3/7/65, FG 7/5/75, FG 23/5/78 and FG 9/4/83, inside back cover stamped stamped with case maker's mark HF for Huguenin Freres
38mm wide
Auricoste provided around 2000 Type 20 chronographs and delivered them to the French military between August 1954 and March 1955. The letters FG stand for "Fin the Guarantee". Auricoste serviced the watches for the French army and engraved each watch with the expiration date.
Sold for £1,600
Estimated at £800 - £1,200
Case with surface scratches, plexi glass with crazing cracks and scratches, original dial finish in good condition, luminous hour markers have evenly faded and have a nice patina, strap is missing, 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.
We are happy to provide Condition Reports to Prospective Buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale.
We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a condition report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition.
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Works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.
Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.
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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