Antique silver pocket watch known as 'La Cigale des Felibres' with a Cicada alarm by Falize, circa 1892
House/Maker
Falize
Period
c1892
Origin
France
Setting
Sterling silver with repousse and chased cicada on reverse surrounded by a circular framework of pierced and engraved floral motifs, echoed around the dial.
To wind the mechanism the button must be turned clockwise and to wind the alarm, the button must be turned anti-clockwise. To set the alarm turn the bezel.
Please note that the dial is slightly damaged at 9 o'clock
Dimensions
48mm diameter
17mm depth
Literature
This exact watch is featured in 'Falize: A Dynasty of Jewellers' by Katherine Purcell pp. 272, some slightly earlier similar examples are on p27
Provenance
According to family tradition this is the first ever 'montre-réveil' or alarm clock and its design is reminiscent of the watches produced by Falize for his three sons on the occasion of their communions in 1884, 1886, and 1887 respectively.
Directors Notes
The name 'La Cigale des Félibres' comes from 'Les Félibres', a group of 19th century artists and poets who were decicated to the proliferation of traditional cultures and the Provencal dialect.
Our Ref
WAT116368AM
Price
