Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 27, 2011

LOT 181

Swiss - Un Amour Peut En Cacher Un Autre Swiss, Signed Breguet & Fils, No. 22918. Made circa 1815. Very fine and rare, 18K gold, half skeletonised quarter-repeating pocket watch with automaton Jacks in "a la turque" costume and a small concealed erotic automaton scene.

CHF 10,000 - 15,000

USD 10,000 - 15,000 / EUR 7,500 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 37,500

C. Three body, Empire, engine-turned with reeled band and polished bezels, locking bolt for the repeating at 2, for disclosing the erotic scene at 8. Gilt-metal cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. Small annular white enamel chapter ring with Breguet numerals, outer minute track. Blued steel Breguet hands. "Martin- Martine" type painted and varicolored chased gold Jacks of a lady and gentleman dressed "a la Turque", on each side of the dial over the polished steel repeating work set on the gilt brass front plate engraved with scrolls of foliage, appearing to strike the hours and quarters on two bells, a blued steel plate, below the dial, with an applied painted and varicolored gold altar of love, discloses the small automaton erotic scene of a couple on a bed, driven by the repeating train. M. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock, repeating on two gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Cuvette signed. Diam. 56 mm. Property of an Swiss collector


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-70-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairline

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is particularly unusual for two reasons. Firstly the combination of both painted decoration and varicolored gold for all the automaton figures and details. Furthermore, the Jacks are dressed in the exotic European fashion for Turkish-esque costume, representing a wholly European interpretation of Eastern people. This mirrors the Orientalist trends brought back to Europe by rich and adventurous tourists starting in the early 18th century, which enjoyed a revival during the first quarter of the 19th century.