AN 18K DIAMOND-SET QUARTZ BRACELET WATCH, BY CHARLES OUDIN The 6-jewel quartz ETA-movement, the brilliant-cut diamond dial with blued sword hands, with similarly-cut diamond bezel and fitted bracelet with folding clasp, brushed gold case back with four screws, diamond crown, diamonds approximately 5.50cts total, in 18K rose gold, maker's mark 'Sté E', case no. C0/02/5060, French assay mark, case width (including crown): 2.9cm Charles Oudin is one of the oldest horological firms in France. Their founder, watchmaker Charles Oudin (1743-1803) came from a long line of well-known horologists working in the northeast of the country. After moving to Paris at a young age to train under the prestigious Abraham-Louis Breguet, Oudin perfected his craft, allowing him to eventually open his own shop in Paris’ Palais Royal. The choice location was not a coincidence. The significance of this spot lay in a specific culture which had developed at the heart of the Palais Royal toward the latter part of the 18th century. The Palais Royal attracted Parisians of all kinds who ventured there to stroll, shop and dine around the arcade. Hoards travelled to the arcade on sunny days, and it became particularly fashionable in the 1760s onwards for crowds to go specifically for the sounding of a small solar cannon at the Palais. This canon went off at noon and allowed passers-by to set their watches on the hour. It was in this setting that Oudin’s watches business thrived as the Palais Royal became associated with this activity amongst members of the Parisian gentility. Charles Oudin served as watchmaker to some of the most prestigious members of French society in the late 18th century, and his brand continued to produce watches long after his death. Among his clientele were members of the French aristocracy and royal families, including the wife of Napolean Bonaparte, the Empress Josephine, and Queen Victoria of England. He was also commissioned to make a collection of clocks for the French Imperial Navy and became their official horologist. Oudin’s son, Charles Raymond, took over the business following the death of his father, but around 1857, he sold the firm to a watchmaker outside the family. The first line of wristwatches by Maison Charles Oudin came in in the early 1920s, as the business kept up with the fashions of the time. Their wristwatches which proved hugely successful and were specifically styled to appeal to the vivacious clients of the “roaring twenties”. Charles Oudin remains a household name today. In 1998, Camille Berthet took over the Charles Oudin brand. Like its initial founder, Camille also comes from a watchmaking family. Her two daughters, Claire and Carole have since followed in her footsteps and joined the company. Although Charles Oudin have moved from their original setting at the Palais Royale, they continue to be located in a grandiose setting and are currently based at Place Vendôme, surrounded by luxury jewellers and fashion houses. Contemporary watches by the maison reflect the long and rich heritage of the brand and are often inspired by the designs of the past and by traditional Parisian fashion, whilst continuing to serve a 21st century clientele.