Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: MELISS

Quick Words:

Piaget

Full Text:

Table Clock By Piaget

NEW YORK CITY -- A unique table clock by Piaget, a bejeweled replica of

Venice's famous Clock Tower, sold at Christie's on April 15 for $167,500. The

exquisite, miniature clock was sold by Piaget to raise awareness of the

Venetian clock tower project. Part of the proceeds are being donated to the

city of Venice to help continue restoration of the Clock Tower building.

The table clock was made to celebrate the completion of the restoration work

by Piaget on the mechanism of the original Fifteenth Century Venetian clock,

and also to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the construction of the

original tower in St. Mark's square, facing the lagoon, and for centuries

symbolized the power and innovation of the glorious city. Piaget was chosen to

repair the historic Venetian timepiece in February 1997 and has recently

finished the restoration of the internal mechanism.

Fashioned from a block of rock crystal, the three-inch high table clock

features two dials. The main dial is made of lapis-lazuli with a blue

mother-of-pearl center. Majestically bestriding the clock, as on the original

clock tower in Venice, is a white-gold sculpted, winged Lion of Venice,

emblematic of the protective patron saint of the city, St Mark.

A single-owner collection of over ninety Rolex watches was also auctioned,

realizing a total of $580,000. The top lot was a Bubble Back wristwatch, dated

1951, for $34,500.