Late 1910s early 1920s 18ct gold Tonneau watch with striking and rare blue guilloche enamel bezel, measuring 27mm x 38mm
 
This is an outstanding Art Deco watch made to the highest degree of quality.
The dial was manufactured by Stern Frères (The now owner of Patek Philippe), who were one of the finest dial makers of all time. The quality of the dial is clear with a sunburst guilloche finish of beautiful complexity. The texture of the guilloche finish, combined with the radiating sunburst in the light makes this dial feel very much alive. To the centre, there is a flower engraving. The hour markets are simple with black Roman Numerals.
 
The dial appears to be signed Asprey, However the case should have Great British hallmarking if the watch was sold at the Asprey store in London.

The case is well proportioned, measuring 27mm x 38mm. The quality execution is continued on the bezel, with a perfect, intact, Blue guilloche enamel finish. This further catches the light in a manner I have never seen on another wristwatch. The Tonneau shape is of unusual design with the movement held within a circular casing to the rear.

The movement is also, unsurprisingly, of exceptional quality. Visibly this is a highly pleasing movement with expert finishing, with Cote De Geneve striping, jewelled centre wheel, underslung ratchet wheel and bevelled edges to the bridges. It is likely a LeCoultre Ebauche, due to the bridge layout and movement design.
 
The timekeeping is still excellent for a 100 year old watch. It has been recently serviced and it has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 322 and a beat error of 3.4m/s.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial was manufactured by Stern Frères (The now owner of Patek Philippe), who were one of the finest dial makers of all time. The quality of the dial is clear with a sunburst guilloche finish, of beautiful complexity. The texture of the guilloche finish, combined with the radiating sunburst in the light, makes this dial feel very much alive. To the centre, there is a flower engraving. The hour markets are simple with black Roman Numerals. The dial appears to be signed Asprey, However the case should have Great British hallmarking if the watch was sold at the Asprey store in London.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are thermally blued in tone and are in good condition, free of bending and major corrosion. They are of Spade and Whip style. 
 
Glass: 
The crystal is a replacement and is in good condition with nothing more than light surface scratches. 
 
Crown: 
The crown would appear to be a well matched, period correct, replacement. It is an onion crown of the era which really catches the eye. It functions as it should, winding the watch and setting the hands. 
 
Case:
The case is made of 18k gold. It is an unusual case design, being made of a front tonneau shaped section, with the movement being within a circular section securing into the front. Undoubtably the main attraction of the case is the shape, combined with the Guilloche enamel finish. The finish is exceptional and un-marked, which is very rare for a piece of this age. The waved finish is especially good and unusual with guilloche enamel work. The blue tone is beautiful and shines in the light.
 
Caseback:
The case back is made of 18k gold and snaps in place. It is in good condition, with no dents or obvious signs of damage. There are some light surface scratches consistent with age.
 
Inside of caseback:
It is formed of 18ct gold. The inside of the case back has a polished finish. It has Swiss hallmarking with the head of Helvetia, with the marking K18. The serial number is “100154”.
 
Movement:
The movement appears to be a Le-Coultre ebauche due to the bridge layout and movement design. The quality is exceptional with the jewelled centre wheel, underslung ratchet wheel and bevelled edges to the bridges. The timekeeping is still excellent for a 100 year old watch.
 
It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 322 and a beat error of 3.4m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 27.5mm 
Case width with crown: 28.8mm 
Case length: 38.3mm 
Case Depth: 6mm 
Lug width: 11mm