Beschreibung:

Gay Frères. A pair of 18ct gold clip earrings, of circular textured form, with black enamel leopard spot decoration, maker's mark, London import hallmarks, 1971, sponsor's mark S&S, diameter 2.2cm (VAT charged on hammer price) The firm of Gay Frères was founded in 1835 by Jean-Pierre Gay and Gaspard Tissot, as a specialist chain maker, producing chains for pocket watches and other types of jewellery. As the wristwatch became established in the 20th century, Gay Frères successfully transitioned to focussing on the production of wristwatch bracelets, and from the 1940s onwards supplied bracelets to many of Switzerland’s most highly regarded watch brands, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Zenith and Heuer. In fact, Gay Frères are responsible for a number of iconic watch bracelets, having designed, in collaboration with the respective watch houses, Rolex’s Oyster bracelet, Audemar Piguet’s Royal Oak bracelet, and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus bracelet. Alongside its watch bracelets, the company has always produced jewellery, and has supplied to houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, FRED, and Hermès, as well as selling under it's own name. Gay Frères designs of the 60s and 70s are particularly collectible, and appear on the market fairly infrequently. In 1998 Gay Frères was purchased by Rolex, and continues to produce watch bracelets and jewellery.