The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 6

The Measure of a ManWilliam Staples, London, circa 1785.Very fine and rare gilt metal pair-cased animated erotic, astronomical, three-train, quarter-striking double-face musical coach watch, playing two tunes, age of the moon, date, and centre-seconds, made for the Oriental market.

C. Outer: two-body, the bezels pierced and engraved with foliage. On the back, an enamel painting of two women on either side of the statue of an author and playwright, one apparently taking the measure of the figure. Below, an aperture reveals either an innocuous scene of people walking, or an erotic scene. Inner: two-body, glazed on both sides, band pierced and engraved in the same manner as the outer case. D. White enamel with three subsidiary dials, the chapter ring with Arabic numerals sett the top, on the lower right, day of the month concentric with tune indication - jig or air - and silent, on the left, age of the moon with concentric, sixty minute slow and fast dial regulator, with outer Arabic seconds ring. Brass 'spade' hands. M. 84.7 mm o, mounted to the dial plate, hinged gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars, three-train, fusee and chain for the going train, cylinder escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, continental type double-footed cock pierced with three ached spokes. The clock watch mechanism with fixed barrel and five-wheel train. Musical movement: Fixed barrel with seven-wheel train, pinned drum, six bells with five hammers. The music and the revolving disc activated by a lever at 4 o'clock. The music plays on the hour or on demand. The animation is activated by a wheel mounted on the extension of the third wheel in the musical train, which drives a disc with two concentric painted scenes. The disc is conceived so as to allow the choice of theouter, more proper scenes, or the inner, erotic ones.Signed on the dial and the movement.Diam. 135 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 258-259.