Not signed, produced in the Jaquet-Droz workshop, Swiss, made for the Chinese market, circa 1790. Very fine and rare 18 ct. gold, pearl and ruby set centre seconds watch, with a fine concealed gold erotic automaton scene. | Important watches and collector's Wistwatches | Hong Kong, Victoria Hotel, 17th June 1994

Important watches and collector's Wis...

Hong Kong, Victoria Hotel, Jun 17, 1994

LOT 272

Not signed, produced in the Jaquet-Droz workshop, Swiss, made for the Chinese market, circa 1790. Very fine and rare 18 ct. gold, pearl and ruby set centre seconds watch, with a fine concealed gold erotic automaton scene.

HKD 175,000 - 200,000

CHF 35,000 - 40,000

Sold: HKD 255,300

C. Three body, Louis XVI with glazed back, the bezels set with rubies and split-pearls. D. White enamel with Roman numerals. Gold skeletonised hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with conical pillars, double train with going barrels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Driven by an independent train, the automaton scene applied on the back plate, presents a lady, hidden behind a curtain at the back of a bedroom, making sure her son is able to find the door of Paradise. In very good condition. Diam. 55 mm.

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Although not signed like most of erotic automaton watches, the style of the case, the dial and the skeletonised hands, together with the full plate movement with centre seconds, going barrel and cylinder escapement, are typical of the Jaquet-Droz production for the Chinese market. The enamel panel on the back has been replaced by glass in order to show the very finely chased, gold erotic automaton scene. A very similar watch from the Sandoz collection is described and illustrated by R. Carrera in Hours of Love, Scriptar Editions, pp. 90 - 92.