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Lot 55
Charles Oudin, Palais Royale. A fine and rare mid 19th century vulcanised rubber, gilt metal and enamel pocket watchNo. 5583, Circa 1850
18 December 2012, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£800 - £1,200
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Charles Oudin, Palais Royale. A fine and rare mid 19th century vulcanised rubber, gilt metal and enamel pocket watch
No. 5583, Circa 1850
Signed cylinder Swiss bar movement numbered 5583, signed white enamel dial with painted black Arabic numerals, composition/vulcanised rubber hinged case with applied with gilt metal, blue and white enamel monogram, the detachable front secured by two gilt metal chains, with applied gilt metal, blue and white enamel chapter to the front, dial and movement signed 43mm.
Signed cylinder Swiss bar movement numbered 5583, signed white enamel dial with painted black Arabic numerals, composition/vulcanised rubber hinged case with applied with gilt metal, blue and white enamel monogram, the detachable front secured by two gilt metal chains, with applied gilt metal, blue and white enamel chapter to the front, dial and movement signed 43mm.
Footnotes
This particular watch is a very fine example of Oudin's most famous watch case. Normally they have un-mounted and plain cases but this example features gold and enamel mounts with Roman numerals.
Vulcanised rubber is a thermoplastic compound which is cured or 'vulcanised' at 150 degrees centigrade. When the material has cooled it retains the form it has been moulded into. It has the appearance of wood or bakelite but whereas bakelite has a shiny finish this is matt. It was very popular in the jewellery trade until the mid 20th Century; watch cases were also made from the same material.
























