TAVANNES 1929 Art Deco Enamel La Captive Squeeze Travel Clock In .925 Sterling
Art deco La Captive travel-purse clock designed by Tavannes Watch Co.
Beautiful and very unusual squeeze concealed "La Captive" travel-clock, created in Switzerland to be retailed at the Charlton & Co, back in the 1928-1930. This rare travel-purse clock has been crafted with a rectangular shape in solid .925/.999 sterling silver and embellished with hard hot black enamel. It is decorated with engine turned geometric designs and fitted with two lateral pushers to squeeze and open for display. The watch movement was made by the Tavannes Watch Co. This piece is a very charmingly-sized, the watch is concealed behind a clever mechanism that hides the dial behind two silver shutters that are operated by two pushers on either side.
Movement: Mechanical and manual winding, 15 jewels calibre 816, straight-line lever escapement, bimetallic compensation balance, frat balance spring, index regulator. Ref 825925.
Case: Squeezer type in sterling silver with black enamel, serial number 5819
Dial: Square, cream, analog with Arabic golden numbers and gold steel Breguet hands, signed Charlton & Co..
Weight: 55.35 Grams, (35.49 Dwt).
Measurements: Opened is 47 mm by 33 mm by 32 mm (1.85 x 1.30 x 1.26 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with Swiss and British marks; the import mark for the city of Glasgow, the letter g for the date 1929, the importer's mark SFC associated to Schwob Freres & Co, the maker's mark, the serial numbers, the mark for the assay of the silver, the reference numbers and signed in full, "CHARLTON & CO. TAVANNES WATCH CO. 825925 5819 BREVETE+DEPOSE 0.925".
Tavannes Watch Co.
In 1891 a young, talented master watchmaker, Henri-Frédéric Sandoz, founded the Tavannes Watch Company in a small Swiss village, Tavannes, in the Jura mountains. He and his partners, Schwob Frères, soon opened markets around the world, notably in Canada, Russia, United States, and the Far East.
Collateral: This travel watch is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this travel clock is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. All parts and the enamels are secured in the setting and in working order. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D082224FSRE/1.640
