Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 14, 2017

LOT 207

"THE MUSICIANS" Henry Capt à Genève, No. 820. Made circa 1815. Very fine and rare, 18K gold and painted on enamel pocket watch with independent music and automata

CHF 20,000 - 40,000

HKD 160,000 - 320,000 / USD 20,000 - 40,000

Sold: CHF 35,000

Three-body, "Empire", maker`s mark ID, polished back and bezel, reeded band with button at 5 o`clock for activation of the music and automaton. Fixed gold and finely painted on enamel cuvette with a fine enamel painted landscape with a temple on the left, the foreground applied with an automaton scene of chased varicolored gold, with two seated musicians in antique dress, the man playing the guitar an the lady a harp. Driven by the musical train, the two move their arms. White enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions two winding apertures. Steel and yellow gold hands. Gilt brass full plate, finely foliate engraved, double train movement with cylindrical pillars, going barrel and cylinder escapement, plain gold three- arm balance, flat balance spring, small pierced and chased gilt brass clock with jeweled end-piece, Maltese cross stopwork, silver regulation dial, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant,. Musical train with pinned-barrel and eight blued steel tuned blades mounted in two stacks of four set between the plates.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-72-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Chipped winding aperture

HANDS Original

Notes

Signed on the movement ring in Henry Capt's typical manner. DIAM. 57 mm. The present lot was previously sold by Sotheby on December 19, 1966.