Lefebure a Paris, No. 759, circa 1790.Fine, 18 ct. gold and enamel, half pearl-set pendant watch.

C. Two-body, spring-loaded, enamelled back with painted gold paillon peacock feathers against dark blue translucent enamel over engine-turning, bezels set with half pearls. D. White enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring with gold five-minute dot divisions and Arabic five minutes. Gold 'beetle and poker' hands.M. 28 mm o, hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass 3-arm balance with flat spring, continental cock pierced and engraved.Signed on the dial and movement.Diam.36 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 162-163.

Gregson, No. 9021, Swiss, circa 1790.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set slim watch with date.

C. Two-body, 'bassine', 'Empire', back with a finely painted scene depicting a secularised infant Christ reading a book, accompanied by Saint John and the Virgin Mary. The book is traditionally the Gospels and the theme is a simple reaffirmation of the belief that Christ was always aware not only of how the Old Testament foretold his life, but also of his future. The luminous scene contrasts with the dark blue translucent enamel over engine-turned ground, bezels set with half pearls. D. White enmel, Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions with 15 minute Arabic numerals, concentric day of the month indication. Blued-steel serpentine hands. M. 38.7 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance with blued-steel flat spring, continental two-footed cock pierced and engraved.Signed and numbered on movement, number repeated on the case.Diam.48 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 162-163.

Venus and AdonisJames Cox, London, circa 1775.Fine and rare, 18 ct. gold and gilt metal, ruby-set, painted on enamel, automaton watch designed as a heart with concealed enamel erotic scenes, made for the Chinese market.

C. Three-body, 'Consular', heart-shaped, hinged back with painted enamelled allegory of Venus and Adonis, the inside back enamel with a nymph grasping her Adonis in a watery grotto perhaps symbolic of the condition of the gentleman's eyes, the dome decorated with a lady and gentleman in enthusiastic conversation on a sofa, counter-enamel with a flower bouquet, ruby-set front bezel, back and front bezels with geometrical pattern in blue and white champlevé enamel. D. Heart-shaped, enamelled withlakeside village, a diamond-set animated windmill on either bank, small eccentric white enamel dial with Roman chapters, outer minute divisions with Arabic five minutes, framed by an elaborate pink enamel cartouche. Blued-steel 'spade' hands. M. Heart-shaped, 33 x 34 mm, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, single-footed cock pierced and engraved with asymmetrical scolling, automaton driven by an additional wheel added to the going train which drives two pinions on which the mills are mounted.Signed on the movement.Dim. 55 x 43 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 234-235.

Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1790.Fine 18 ct. gold and enamel pearl-set slim watch.

C. Two-body, back cover with translucent imperial blue enamel over elaborate engine-turning and engraving, paillon border, half pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow decorated en suite. D. White enamel, mixed Roman and Arabic hour indications, outer minute dot divisions with 15-minute Arabic numerals. Gold Breguet hands.M. 43.5 mm o, hinged, gilt full plate, with a raised portion to accomodate the barrel and fusee, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance with continental cock pierced and engraved.Diam. 53.2 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 166-167.

HebeJaquet-Droz, London, circa 1790.Fine and rare slim 18 ct. gold and enamel, centre seconds watch.

C. Two-body, back finely painted on enamel with Hebe and Jupiter's eagle against a blue sky, bezels with two rows of half pearls separated by a white enamel ring, pendant with blue enamel with paillon flowers, spring-loaded back, gilded hinged cuvette. D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute and fifth second divisions. Gold 'cathedral' skeletonised hands. M. 41.7 mm o, gilt brass Lepine calibre, free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain five-arm brass balance, blued-steel flat balane spring.Signed on the cuvette.Diam. 53 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 166-167.

Unsigned, Geneva, circa 1800.Fine and unusual large 18K gold and enamel flat oval watch.

C. Three-body, oval, back cover with an unusual combination of techniques. The royal blue translucent enamel ground is on guilloché radiating from a central oval reserve. Over this is laid coloured gold paillons consisting of symbols of Love, Music, and polychrome enamelled flowers. The floral border is acheived in the same way and both have a clear overglaze. There is a simple moulding to the edge of the case, and the front bezel has a translucent royal blue enamel band over guilloché, gold hined cuvette. D. White enamel, oval, the eccentric chapter ring with Roman chapters, outer minute dot divisions situated at the top, at the bottom subsidiary sunk seconds. Gold 'arrow' hands. M. Oval, 42 x 52 mm, gilt brass bridge calibre entirely pierced and engraved with serpents and foliage, free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm balance, flat balance spring, double-footed symmetrically pierced and engraved cock.Dim. 64 x 54 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 166-167.

The Virtues of Perfect GovernanceIsâac Daniel Piguet, Geneva, No. 14, casemaker's mark coronet above M incuse, possibly Jaques Moulinie, circa 1811.Magnificent and very rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set snuffbox with music, automaton and watch, with visible balance and concealed erotic scene.

C. Five-body, rectangular, divided into three parts, central panel with rounded sides, in the centre a very fine painted enamel allegory of the virtues of perfect governance after the painter Eustache Le Sueur (1616-1655). It depicts Prudence (with the mirror), Wisdom and Virtue. It has a pearl-set border, as do the two spring-loaded panels flanking it, with the Muse of Music and the Muse of Literature painted in grisaille within navette-shaped panels surrounded by translucent blue enamel. Whenpened, they reveal respectively a watch and an automaton. The back centre panel finely painted with a harpist playing for a maiden in the woods, who motions to him to keep a secret. It opens to reveal another, more intimate, scene with a newlywed couple. The flanking and side panels are in translucent imperial blue and black enamel over engine-turning.The side panels and base panels flanking the painting are in translucent dark blue enamel over engine turning and a black painted zig-zag pattern. D. Rectangular, translucent imperial blue enamel plate with eccentric white enamel dial, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, at the top aperture for the balance and regulator. Blued-steel 'spade' hands. On the other side, the varicoloured gold automaton with a lady harpist playing for a gentleman beating time, while a bird flutters in its cage aove. A cat and dog observe the scene. M. Rectangular, 18.2 x 33.7 mm, gilt brass, cylindrical pillars, verge escapement, plain brass balance, flat balance spring, fusee and chain, pierced and engraved cock visible through the dial. The musical and automata movements driven by a pinned barrel playing on seven teeth, six-wheel train with last pinion as governor in eccentric bushing, the automata animated by a cam mounted on the second wheel arbor.Scratched on the back of both movements in Piguet's typical manner, 'Isâc Del Piguet à Geneve', the automaton movement stamped '14'.Dim. 88 x 55 x 19 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 414-415.

HeliosFrançois Louis Godon, Relox de Camarade S.M.C., dial by Lucard, case by Joly, circa 1800.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel watch with Republican date indication, with original matching fob.

C. Four-body, 'Directoire', back cover in blue opaque enamel, the centre with a golden two-horse chariot driven by a male figure within a geometrical and laurel-leaf frame. Although he may represent Helios, Helios' son Phaeton, or the god Mithras, the direction of his flowing robe and hair suggests Zephyrus, the West Wind. Band with matching enamel decorated in a geometrical pattern, gilt hinged and spring-loaded cuvette. Fob with six gold links with the same enamel, each decorated with gold snoflake rosette. D. White enamel with gold Breguet numerals, outer gold minute markers, inner gold Arabic 30 days indication. Blued-steel Breguet hands.M. 44.3 mm o, gilt brass Lepine calibre, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring.Signed F.L. Godon R(elojer)o de Camara de S.M.C. (Watchmaker to the Chamber of His Catholic Majesty) on cuvette, and F.L. Godon on dial, case stamped with casemaker's mark, French guarantee marks and number 684.Diam. 56 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 196-197.

ChronosBreguet, Etablissement Mixte, circa 1820.Very fine and rare 18 ct. gold eight-day going 'wandering hour' watch.

C. Four-body, 'Empire', engine-turned back cover, fluted band, gilt spring-loaded cuvette. D. White enamel a segment with minute divisions and Arabic numerals set in the top of a gold mask engraved with the figure of Chronos, wandering Arabic blued-steel hour numerals passing through the minute segment window, pointing to the correct minute. M. 54.4mm o, gilt brass, unusual bridge calibre, 6 jewels, free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm gold balance, flat balance spring, balnce and escape wheel jewelled, free-standing barrel, third and fourth wheels in skeletonised steel bridge.Case stamped inside back cover 'PHPI, 6237' and with later French gold marks, cuvette signed 'Etablissement mixte, Breguet', the dial engraved Breguet et Fils.Diam. 61 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 196-197.

The Alliance between Love and WineUnsigned, attributable to Piguet & Capt, enamel painting attributed to J-F-V Dupont, circa 1810.Extremely fine and unique, 18 ct. gold and enamel musical snuff box with two automaton 'Musique de chambre' scenes and a concealed watch with special escapement. Accompanied by a contemporary red flinqué engraved enamelled key.

C. Four-body, oblong, the rectangular central hinged enamel panel decorated with the scene The Alliance between Love and Wine from an engraving by F. Joullain dated 1751, which, in turn, is after a painting of 1744 by J. M. Nattier. It is executed in the manner of J-F-V Dupont. When the central cover is opened, the hours, minutes, and seconds are shown on two small dials above an enamelled chamber music quartet in formal evening dress. In contrast, in the base of the box, another cover opens andthe same players are found to have abandoned their music, their formality, and a significant amount of their dress. The two side compartments have rounded and hinged lids with blue and black enamel over guilloché in a diamond pattern, the borders with black champlevé enamel decoration, blue flinqué egraved enamel band with white and azure champlevé enamelled borders and four white, black and azure motifs. D. Small eccentric white enamel with Roman chapters and symmetrical subsidiary seconds sett the top of the 'chamber music' automaton. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. Rectangular, 35 x 34 mm, gilt brass full plate, fixed barrel, virgule escapement, plain gilt three-arm balance, blued-steel flat balance spring, small two-footed plain cock.The musical movement with a free-standing pinned barrel playing on a stack of three sets of paired teeth. The harpist and flute player are driven from pins set on the cover of the barrel, the harpsichord and triangle player are driven by two sets of pins mounted on the first train wheel, the erotic scene is put in motion via a cam screwed to the free part of the standing barrel.Dim. 129 x 46 x 19 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 412-413.

Troquon-MinonEtienne Boisson, Geneva, enamel probably from the workshop of Mussard V, circa 1710.Fine and interesting silver and enamel pair-cased watch with concealed erotic scene.

C. Outer: two-body, 'bassine', leather-covered decorated with silver studs. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', polished. When the case is opened, and the movement swung out, the back plate of the movement can be seen to have an amusing erotic scene, with a young woman holding a mouse by the tail in her left hand, and offering to swap it with an object she greatly desires, held by her pussycat. The words 'troquon-minon', written above her, from the archaic French, can be loosely translated as 'exchanges no robbery'. D. Silver, eccentric chapter ring set at the top with champlevé Roman chapters, outer minute ring with five-minute Arabic numerals, the chapter ring framed by foliage in relief, the centre decorated in a similar manner, subsidiary dial at 7 o'clock for regulating, semicircular slot below 6 o'clock for mock pendulum. Blued-steel 'beetle and poker' hands. M. 40.4 mm o, gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass balance with mock penduum, double-footed cock.Signed on the dial.Diam. 55 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 124-125.

Changeont MinonUnsigned, Swiss, circa 1785.Fine and highly unusual, astronomical, double face, erotic with phases of the moon, mechanical calendar ratchet key for a watch.

C. Gilt brass, glazed both sides, polished, straight pendant, small bow. D. White enamel in the front with months and dates of the month, the centre inscribed: 'Changeont Minon'. Blued-steel 'arrow' counterpoised hands. White enamel on the back with phases of the moon and days of the week with their astrological symbols , the centre painted with a amusing scene depicting a maiden seated in a landscape holding a mouse by the tail and offering to swap it with an object she greatly desires, held byher pussycat. Blued-steel 'arrow' hands.M. 24.8 mm o, brass, circular, with click wheels in the centre, on one side with 12 and 31 teeth, the other with 14 and 28 teeth set on each side of a thick single plate, activated when the key is inserted in the winding square. Inserting the key to wind the watch automatically advances the calendar one day, the ratchet action assures that it is not advanced more than one day during a single winding.Diam. 41 x 27 mm.Published in the Sandberg book, page 124-125.

Taking Turns.Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1790.Fine and very rare 18 ct. gold and pearl-set quarter repeating two-movement watch with erotic automaton, made for the Oriental market.

C. Three-body, back in scarlet translucent enamel over flinqué ground with engine-turned pattern within a white champleve enamel ring with gold foliage, pearl-set bezels pierced for sound and foliate engraved, band foliate engraved, a secret pushpiece opens the back, the act of opening activating the automaton, to reveal a painted on metal scene in which all figures are animated, with a young lady seated in a chair enjoying her lover's attentions, as a second refreshes herself at a fountain withrunning water while watching the others. D. White enamel, Breguet hour chapter, outer minute divisions with fifteen-minute Arabic numerals. Blued-steel 'spearhead' hands. M. 45 mm o, hinged, gilded, back plate crescent-shaped to accommodate the two bells, cylindrical pillars, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, repeating on bells by depressing the pendant, the separate automaton movement in brass with fixed barrel.Diam. 59 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 268-269.

Two Kittens'Breguet', Swiss, circa 1820.Fine and rare silver and enamel erotic watch, made for the Oriental market.

C. Three-body, 'Empire', reeded band, back glazed to view a delicate painted enamel scene of a young girl holding two kittens in her dress. When the back cover is opened, it shows the complete picture, a rather surprising one, with only one pussy. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 46.8 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, continental cock pierced and egraved with the letters 'GACHARD'.Signed on the dial and the movement.Diam. 57 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 268-269.

Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1830.18 ct. rose gold, quarter repeating skeletonised watch with concealed erotic automaton, made for the Oriental market.

C. Four-body, polished with reeded band, gilded cuvette with a spring-loaded cover inside revealing an erotic automaton scene with two figures. D. White enamel ring with Breguet numerals and outer minute ring. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 50 mm o, gilt brass full plate, skeletonised and engraved front plate, fusee and chainh, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, polished steel pierced cock, the automaton runs from a sleeve mounted eccentrically on the second wheel of the repeating tain, repeating on a gong by depressing the pendant.Diam. 54 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 268-269.

The Snake CharmerFontac, London, No. 404, circa 1790.Fine and very rare gilt metal and enamel watch with concealed enamelled erotic scene and additional 24-hour Chinese chapter ring, made for the Chinese market.

C. Three-body, 'Consular', back cover with finely painted enamel scene of a Chinese monk showing a snake to a young lady elegantly seated beneath a parasol. When the cover is open, the snake, allegory of evil as well as symbol of fertility, has become transformed, taking on mythical proportions. D. White enamel with Roman chapters and Chinese 24-hour characters, outer minute dot divisions. Gold half-moon hands, blued-steel 24 hour hand. M. 46.3 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with cylindricapillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance, single-footed gilt cock pierced and engraved in asymmetrical scrollings.Signed on the movement.Diam. 63 mm o. Published in the Sandberg book, page 266-267.

Thomas Chamberlaine de Chelmesforde, circa 1660.Very fine silver pre-balance spring, single-hand watch with date indication.

C. Two-body, 'bassine', with curved band, polished, with a shutter for the winding aperture, small swivel pendant, loose ring. D. Silver, champlevé, Roman chapters with half-hour markers, inner quarter-hour divisions, outer 31-day calendar ring with a pointer mounted on a gilded ring between the chapter and the calendar rings, the centre with applied gilded pierced and florally engraved medallion. Blued-steel 'arrow' hand. M. 41 mm o, hinged, gilded full plate, Egyptian pillars, fusee and gut-lie, verge escapement, two-arm steel balance without a spring, elongated gilded cock symmetrically pierced and engraved with flowers, short four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, worm and wheel set-up with silver plate and Arabic numerals from 1 to 8 filled with red wax.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 49 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 90-91.

Robert Williamson, Royal Exchange, circa 1670.Very fine silver pair-cased, pre-balance spring watch with date.

C. Outer: two-body, covered with shagreen, entirely decorated with silver studs with a rosette in the centre. Inner: two-body, 'bassine' with curved band, polished, shutter for the winding aperture with a small engraving of three oak leaves, small swivel pendant, loose ring. D. Silver, champlevé, Roman chapters with inner quarter-hour divisions, outer 31-day ring with a pointer mounted on a gilded ring between the chapter and the day of the month rings, the central revolving disc engraved with te figure of Chronos, his a finger indicating the time, and the inscription 'I stay for no man'. M. 36.7 mm o, hinged, gilded full plate, early Egyptian pillars, fusee and gut-line, the escapement all converted from the original verge to lever in the mid-nineteenth century. The balance cock retained, with the regulator placed below it, and the accompanying scale neatly engraved on the backplate.Gilded cock symmetrically pierced and engraved with flowers, short four-wheel train, worm and wheel setup with silver plate and Arabic numerals from 1 to 7.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 51 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 90-91.

Venus and AdonisGoullons A Paris, circa 1650.Important and rare 20 ct. gold, painted on enamel, single-hand lady's pendant watch.

C. Two-body, 'bassine fermee' with curved edge, the front lid and the back entirely painted on enamel, the principal scenes, on the lid and the back, depicting Venus and Adonis, the band painted with a continuous hunting and pastoral scene, on the inside of the lid a riverside fishing scene, on the inside of the back a pastoral scene, short pendant, loose ring. D. Painted enamel on gold, repeating the same motifs as the band, Roman chapters on outer white enamel ring with half-hour divisions, iner quarter-hour ring. Blued-steel hands.M. 26.6 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, turned baluster pillars, fusee and gut-line, verge escapement, two-arm steel balance without spring, elongated asymmetrically pierced and foliate engraved cock secured by a screw, four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, worm and wheel set up with a silver scale plate mounted on the set-up wheel.Signed on the movement.Diam. 32 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 70-71.

Girard, A Paris, circa 1660.Very fine and rare silver, pre-balance spring, single hand watch.

C. Two-body, 'bassine' with curved band, the case florally engraved, bezel split at the square hinge for glass retention, short pendant, loose ring. D. White enamel, Roman chapters with unusual sabre-style half-hour markers, inner quarter-hour ring. Blued-steel hand. M. 33 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, Egyptian pillars, fusee and gut-line, short four-wheel train, verge escapement, two-arm steel balance without spring, elongated silver pinned cock pierced and engraved with symmetrical folige, pear-shaped solid foot finished with finial, worm and wheel set-up.Signed on the back plate.Diam. 38 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 82-83.