A LADY'S PLATINUM AND DIAMOND WRISTWATCH, BY VERGER...
A LADY'S PLATINUM AND DIAMOND WRISTWATCH, BY VERGER FRÈRES, CIRCA 1930
Of manual wind movement, the elongated octagonal shape silvered dial with Roman numerals and sword hands, the polished platinum case with rose-cut diamond frame, sapphire cabochon crown, case in platinum, maker's mark 'FV' for Verger Frères, French assay marks, with later black strap and inox buckle, movement no. 3302, length 21.5cm, case (including crown): 2.5cm
Ferdinand Verger (1851 – 1928) founded his eponymous jewellery business in Paris in 1872 and quickly became known as the “jeweller’s jeweller”, producing designs as an outside workshop for the major jewellery houses of the Art Deco period. In particular, Verger became known for his impressive clock-making abilities, specialising in women’s watches and producing the famous ‘Mystery Clock’ alongside Cartier. When Ferdinand’s two sons joined the family in business in 1911, the firm changed their maker’s mark from F.V. for Ferdinand Verger to V.F. for Verger Frères.
Under the helm of the second generation of Verger’s, the firm continued to expand, seeking new partnerships and a more global clientele. By the time Verger formally signed over the business to his two sons in 1921, Verger Frères employed over 200 craftsmen, including goldsmiths, enamellers, diamond polishers. However, the firms foundation in watchmaking remained to the forefront of the business, and the next three decades saw the master watchmakers collaborate with some of the finest jewellery houses worldwide, including Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Tiffany for whom they created timepieces and jewellery.
World War II meant trouble for the workshop and the Verger Frères struggled to stay afloat in the oppressive climate. They were saved from an untimely demise by Georges Lenfant, who bought over the firm in the mid 1940s. More recently, Verger Frères was acquired by Parisian-based Atelier Bouder, who seek to draw from the company’s extensive archive of drawings and models to recreate in the 21st century the timepieces which brought the business to fame.
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A LADY'S PLATINUM AND DIAMOND WRISTWATCH, BY VERGER FRÈRES, CIRCA 1930
Of manual wind movement, the elongated octagonal shape silvered dial with Roman numerals and sword hands, the polished platinum case with rose-cut diamond frame, sapphire cabochon crown, case in platinum, maker's mark 'FV' for Verger Frères, French assay marks, with later black strap and inox buckle, movement no. 3302, length 21.5cm, case (including crown): 2.5cm
Ferdinand Verger (1851 – 1928) founded his eponymous jewellery business in Paris in 1872 and quickly became known as the “jeweller’s jeweller”, producing designs as an outside workshop for the major jewellery houses of the Art Deco period. In particular, Verger became known for his impressive clock-making abilities, specialising in women’s watches and producing the famous ‘Mystery Clock’ alongside Cartier. When Ferdinand’s two sons joined the family in business in 1911, the firm changed their maker’s mark from F.V. for Ferdinand Verger to V.F. for Verger Frères.
Under the helm of the second generation of Verger’s, the firm continued to expand, seeking new partnerships and a more global clientele. By the time Verger formally signed over the business to his two sons in 1921, Verger Frères employed over 200 craftsmen, including goldsmiths, enamellers, diamond polishers. However, the firms foundation in watchmaking remained to the forefront of the business, and the next three decades saw the master watchmakers collaborate with some of the finest jewellery houses worldwide, including Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Tiffany for whom they created timepieces and jewellery.
World War II meant trouble for the workshop and the Verger Frères struggled to stay afloat in the oppressive climate. They were saved from an untimely demise by Georges Lenfant, who bought over the firm in the mid 1940s. More recently, Verger Frères was acquired by Parisian-based Atelier Bouder, who seek to draw from the company’s extensive archive of drawings and models to recreate in the 21st century the timepieces which brought the business to fame.
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