The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 111

The Pheasant's SecretJames Cox, London, No. 5827, circa 1775.Very fine and rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl- and precious stone-set, pair-cased, quarter repeating watch with concealed enamel erotic scene.

C. Outer: two-body, almost entirely set with pearls, rubies, emeralds and diamonds, centre with imperial blue champlevé enamel depicting a pheasant beside a pagoda within a ruby-set frame. To the Chinese, the pheasant was a symbol of beauy and good fortune, and was one of the twelve ornaments on the imperial robes. The entire scene is hinged and when opened by a secret catch, reveals another scene showing a gentleman about to inject new life into the lady after their exhausting walk shown on thedial. Inner: two-body, 'bassine', back polished with small rosette in the center, band pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage, gilt dust cap. D. Enamel, small Roman chapter ring set in the centre on white ground with outer minute ring, the borders painted with a continuous scene, depicting a couple taking a walk in the countryside. Blued-steel hands. M. 23.7 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate with column pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, single-footd gilded cock, pierced and engraved with asymmetrical foliage, worm and wheel set-up, repeating on a bell by depressing the pendant.Signed on the dust cap.Diam. 39 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 240-241.