The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 133

Taking Turns.Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1790.Fine and very rare 18 ct. gold and pearl-set quarter repeating two-movement watch with erotic automaton, made for the Oriental market.

C. Three-body, back in scarlet translucent enamel over flinqué ground with engine-turned pattern within a white champleve enamel ring with gold foliage, pearl-set bezels pierced for sound and foliate engraved, band foliate engraved, a secret pushpiece opens the back, the act of opening activating the automaton, to reveal a painted on metal scene in which all figures are animated, with a young lady seated in a chair enjoying her lover's attentions, as a second refreshes herself at a fountain withrunning water while watching the others. D. White enamel, Breguet hour chapter, outer minute divisions with fifteen-minute Arabic numerals. Blued-steel 'spearhead' hands. M. 45 mm o, hinged, gilded, back plate crescent-shaped to accommodate the two bells, cylindrical pillars, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, repeating on bells by depressing the pendant, the separate automaton movement in brass with fixed barrel.Diam. 59 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 268-269.