Details
CIRCA: 1852
CASE MATERIAL: 18k gold
CASE DIAMETER: 32mm
DIAL: Enamel
MOVEMENT: Manual
FUNCTIONS: Time only
CALIBER: Gilt cylinder
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Lot Essay

It is exceedingly rare to find a watch signed by François Czapek's firm Czapek & Cie., active only during a relatively short period of time.

On 1 May 1839 François Czapek and Antoine Patek, both Polish emigrants, established their watch manufacture in Geneva. The small company Patek, Czapek & Co. employed half a dozen of workmen and had a yearly output of around 200 high quality watches.

In 1845 Czapek terminated his cooperation with Patek and set up its own company Czapek & Cie. in 1851, hence entering in direct competition with his former associate Patek & Cie. Czapek specialized in commemorative and jubilee watches, watches with engraved coat-of-arms, portraits or religious subjects. Czapek also worked as watchmaker for Napoleon III, the French Emperor from 1852 to 1870.

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