The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 85

Paris abducting HelenAttributed to Jaquet-Droz, enamel painting attributed to the workshop of J-L. Richter.Extremely fine and very rare 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set, double train, three-tune musical watch with centre seconds and stop feature, made for the Oriental market.

C. Three-body, both covers spring-loaded. The back very finely painted on translucent dark blue enamel with the Abduction of Helen by Paris, taken from an engraving after a painting by Guido Reni (1575-1642), on the right a flower vase with flowers, leaves, sheaves of wheat, and garlands in gold paillons. The painting surrounded by florally decorated enamel and paillon frame, bezels set with half pearls, case band pierced and engraved.D. White enamel, Roman chapters, outer minute ring and quarter second divisions for the centre seconds hand. Gold Breguet hands with pierced tips. M. 50 mm o, gilt brass three-quarter plate to allow for the five bells, cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain three-arm brass balance, flat balance spring, continental cock pierced and engraved, stop lever at one o'clock to stop the watch in order to set it precisely.Five-wheel musical train finished with a fly wheel, going barrel, pinned cylinder, five hammers striking on five bells, hammers spring-loaded with adjustments to assure the correct strength of the blows, cam-type mechanism with three steps, enabling the change of tunes. Plays on demand by pressing the push button on the pendant. Choice of three melodies through a lever at 4 o'clock.Diam. 60 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 252-253.