Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 14, 1990

LOT 392

Freres Rochat, Geneva,Swiss, the gold work by Georges Reymond. Circa 1810.

Very fine and rare gold, enamel and pearl-set singing bird box combined with both watch and musical movements. The rectangular box decorated on all sides with royal blue over black translucent enamel on a "variée" pattern guilloché ground. Borders and rounded comers with blue, black and white champleve enamel interspersed with engraved gold floral designs. Split-pearl set borders on the top and surrounding the bird cover, the panel finely enamelled with a young couple in the manner of Lissignol. Back with small applied oval panel in white enamel with monogram GC and split-pearl border. Hinged side plate with pearl-set bezels for the white enamel dials indicating hours and seconds with Roman and Arabic chapters respectively (hour dial well repaired), and opening for access to hand-setting, winding and regulation squares. Bird movement with brass plates, turned columns, fusee with chain and circular bellows. Unusually large bird with turning head and automated wings, tait and beak. Bright-cut engraved and gilt surround. Watch movement with freestanding barrel, cylinder escapement and plain three-arm balance. Music with free-standing pin barrel and two stacks of nine steel blades. Signed on the movement with the punchmark FR in an oval. The case stamped with the mark of Georges Reymond. In very good condition. Dim. 9.4 x 5.8 x 2.7 cm The construction of the movement with round bellows and the large size of he bird confirms this box as an early example from the partnership of Rochat Frères.