ALFRED HOF, GENEVA, RETAILED BY WALSER, WALD Y CIA, BUENOS AIRES. CIRCA 1930

Details

A Swiss silver, green marble and enamel mystery timepiece
Alfred Hof, Geneva, retailed by Walser, Wald Y Cia, Buenos Aires. Circa 1930
The case with painted enamel border showing clowns frolicking in rustic landscapes, resting on a verde antico octagonal plinth, the mirror-plate dial with carved bone cherub floating on a leaf and indicating the time with a spear on an enamel Roman chapter ring, the eight day three-quarter plate movement with gilt-frosted plates and bimetallic lever balance, signed ALFRED HOF/GÈNEVE, THE COVER PLATE SIGNED WALSER, WALD Y CIA BUENOS AIRES; with original leather travel case
5¾ in. (14.5 cm.) wide, 5½ in. (14 cm.) high

Literature

Illustrated Derek Roberts, Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks, Schiffer 1999, p.86, fig.8-7.

Special notice

VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

A novelty 'St Moritz' timepiece by Hof of related design was sold Christie's Geneva, Important Jewels, 15 February 2006, lot 181.
Alfred Hof (1884-1938) was born Alfred Hermann Hofzumahaus and had changed his name by 1912. A watchmaker, he initially represented the C.H. Meylan Watch Co. of Brassus (and then Geneva). The company produced and sold watches and clocks as well as their parts. His colleagues there included Henri Piguet, Jean-Théodore Piguet and Léon Audemars.

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