Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 27, 2011

LOT 172

Swiss - L? Amerique ? Erotic Automaton Watch With Four Animations Swiss, signed Breguet à Paris. Made circa 1820. Fine, silver quarter-repeating pocket watch with automaton Jacks, automaton goat and concealed erotic automaton.

CHF 2,000 - 4,000

USD 2,000 - 4,000 / EUR 1,500 - 3,000

Sold: CHF 6,250

C. Three-body, ?bassine?, polished, transparent back. D. Silver, engine-turned, with radial Roman numerals on polished cartouches, outer minute divisions, varicolored gold and painted blackamoor jacks to each side appearing to strike two bells above, grassy base, aperture below 6 with a varicolored gold goat amongst vines on a blued steel plate, the goat nodding its head during repeating, a bolt at 4 slides the goat panel and discloses the erotic automaton of a couple on a bed. Blued steel hands. M. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Movement signed. Diam. 61 mm. Property of an Swiss collector


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 4-23-27

Fair

Later

Custom-made
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-06

Good

HANDS Partially replaced

Notes

The goat is traditionally a symbol of carnality and lust. Automaton watches of this type often have a concealed erotic automaton when the figure of a goat is used as a subtle indication of what lies beneath