ALFRED DUNHILL 1928 Art Deco La Captive Squeeze Travel Clock In .925 Sterling Silver
Art deco La Captive travel-purse clock designed for Alfred Dunhill.
Beautiful and very unusual squeeze concealed "La Captive" travel-clock, created in Switzerland to be retailed at the Alfred Dunhill company, back in the 1928-1930. This rare travel-purse clock has been crafted with a rectangular shape in solid .925/.999 sterling silver. It is decorated with engine turned 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.
Dial: Square in light gilt, analog with Arabic numbers and blued steel Breguet hands, signed Dunhill Chronometre Tavannes Importe de Suisse.
Weight: 60.95 Grams, (39.08 Dwt).
Measurements: 47 mm by 33 mm by 29 mm (1.85 x 1.30 x 1.14 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with Swiss marks; twice with the French import mark of the Swan (Osprey-124), the maker's mark, the serial numbers, the mark for the assay of the silver, the reference numbers and signed in full, "DUNHILL .925 CHRONOMETRE TAVANNES IMPORTE OF SUISSE 2084 BREV-DEP MECAN TAVANNES WATCH CO. SWISS 825925".
Note: The hallmark of a swan facing to the left inside an oval punch (Osprey-124), was introduced in 1893 for small silver items imported into France. The silver product need to have at least a standard assay of .800/999 or over. The swan mark indicates that the item was produced in a non-treaty country and served as an import identification. The swan mark used until 1970.
Alfred Dunhill
He inherited his father’s London saddlery in 1893. Following the increase in motor car ownership, Alfred developed the business to include motoring accessories, which he called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. This included goggles, timepieces, picnic sets, and leather coats, and it wasn’t long before the brand became associated with men’s general motoring attire. They opened two shops in Mayfair and had a catalogue of over 1300 items. Between the 1904 and 1905, Dunhill introduced their ‘Windshield Pipe’, to help drivers combat the effect of wind and travel on their ability to smoke. This marked both the end of the ‘motorities’ focus and their entry into the world of smoking ephemera, and they shortly opened their first tobacconist in 1907 on Duke Street. The proximity to several esteemed Private Members Clubs around the Mayfair, St James’ area ensured that the venture was a success. (From Nicholas Wells With Thanks).
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 ermeto travel watch is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this ermeto clock is good. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. All parts are secured in the setting and in working order. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D033024EMNL/1.807
