Geneva, Nov 10, 2024

LOT 630

ATTRIBUTED TO JAQUET-DROZ, SWITZERLAND, GENEVA WORKSHOP, CENTER-SECONDS, STOP-WATCH, MUSICAL AUTOMATON COACH WATCH PLAYING MUSIC ON THE HOUR OR AT WILL WITH FIVE HAMMERS ON FIVE BELL, GILT BRASS AND COLOR STONES

CHF 100,000 - 200,000

HKD 900,000 - 1,800,000 / USD 116,000 - 232,000 / EUR 108,000 - 214,000

Sold: CHF 156,250

A magnificent large and extremely rare gilt brass and color stones, manual wind . Outer case, two hinged bezels, pierced and chiseled in foliages, bezel with alternating red and white stones. Inner case : double-body, front glazed for the automaton and dial, sides pierced and chiseled andengraved with foliage, back engraved with foliage. Large, center seconds, white enamel dial with aperturue for the automaton scene on the top half and bellow the dial with Roman hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes, the automaton represents villagers crossing a bridge over a waterfall with their animals with a forest background, a total of 18 motions, 8 turning clock wise and 10 turning anticlock wise.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 2-71-01

Very good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

HANDS Original

Brand Attributed to Jaquet-Droz, Switzerland

Year Circa 1790

Diameter outer case 160 mm.

Caliber 110 mm., Fire-gilded, full-plate, fully foliate engraved, English gilded cock pierced and engraved with foliage, fuse and chain for both trains, cylinder escapement, plain steel balance, flat balance spring, engraved regulation dial on the backplate with blued steel hand, overbanking pin on the body of the cylinder staff, diamond endstone. Musical train with fusee and chain, five hammers on five bells, pinned brass cylinder mounted vertically, fly mounted beneath a separate cock on the back plate. The automaton is driven by the music train. The music plays every hour or on demand activated by a lever in the bezel.

Notes

Carriage clocks made by Jaquet-Droz are exceptional examples of Swiss horological craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity. Pierre Jaquet-Droz, the founder of the manufacture in the 18th century, became famous for his sophisticated creations, including automata, mechanical watches, and luxurious clocks. His work gained international acclaim, particularly in China, where his timepieces were highly prized by the elite.

Jaquet-Droz and Carriage Clocks

Carriage clocks crafted by Jaquet-Droz were designed to be both functional instruments and works of art. During an era when aristocrats frequently traveled by carriage, these clocks provided a practical way to keep time while also reflecting the owner's status and refined taste.

Key Features of Jaquet-Droz Carriage Clocks:

  1. Ornamentation and Design: True to Jaquet-Droz’s reputation, these clocks were lavishly adorned with precious materials like gold, enamel, and gemstones. The dials were often decorated with intricate scenes, floral motifs, or designs inspired by European and Chinese cultures.

  2. Mechanical Complications: As an innovator in automata and complex clocks, Jaquet-Droz often incorporated automated mechanisms into his carriage clocks. These timepieces featured advanced horological complications, such as minute repeaters and animated automata, captivating observers with their graceful movements.

  3. Adaptation for the Chinese Market: Jaquet-Droz’s creations were particularly valued by the Chinese imperial court. Emperor Qianlong, a great admirer of horology and Western art, owned several pieces made by Jaquet-Droz. These carriage clocks, designed to suit Chinese tastes, were often decorated with Chinese motifs, jade inlays, and complex mechanisms that played music or animated miniature scenes.

Influence on the Chinese Market

Jaquet-Droz played a crucial role in introducing European watches and clocks to China, where his creations were seen as technological marvels and symbols of prestige. Beyond their utility, these carriage clocks fascinated the emperor and Chinese nobility, strengthening cultural and artistic exchanges between Europe and China.

Legacy and Modern Collections

Today, Jaquet-Droz remains synonymous with exceptional horology, and its historical carriage clocks are considered invaluable collector’s items. The brand continues to honor this legacy by incorporating historical inspiration into modern collections while innovating in automata and horological complications.

In summary, carriage clocks crafted by Jaquet-Droz symbolize 18th-century horological excellence, blending aesthetics, technology, and mechanical artistry, while playing a key role in fostering commercial and cultural ties between Europe and China.



Biography

Pierre Jaquet-Droz established his Geneva workshop in the late 18th century, marking an important phase in his career and contributing significantly to the reputation of Swiss watchmaking on an international scale. After achieving success in La Chaux-de-Fonds, where he built his first automata and clocks, Jaquet-Droz expanded his operations by opening a workshop in Geneva around 1784. At the time, Geneva was already a thriving center for horology, known for its high demand for luxury goods and precision timepieces.
Export to China: From the Geneva workshop, many of Jaquet-Droz’s creations were exported to China, a significant market for luxury European timepieces. The elaborate watches and automata produced in Geneva were highly sought after by the Qing court, particularly by Emperor Qianlong, who was fascinated by Western technology and horology. The intricate detailing, enamel work, and use of automata made these pieces stand out in the Chinese market.