Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Mar 16, 2008

LOT 22

Organ Clock F.R.F.C. (Francois Roy Frere), La Chaux-de-Fonds, No. 629. Made for the Italian Market, circa 1785. Very fine and very rare ormolu, white and black marble, 8-day going clock with organ in the base, hour and quarter striking and repeating in in six hours only, in the Italian way, playing music on the hour or at will.

C. Flanked by two gilt bronze lyres and surmounted by doves and quiver on a white marble rock, the movement is set on the gallery of a black marble temple with four white marble columns on the front, four square columns of red marble on the back, gilt bronze garlands, cord swags and further decoration, centering a gilt bronze figure of Cupid on a white marble pedestal at the top of black marble stairs, partly covered by a gilt bronze carpet, rectangular white marble base with six square fluted columns, applied on the front face with fine musical trophies, gilt bronze frieze with playing cherubs on the terrace with further gilt bronze applied decoration. D. White enamel with radial Breguet numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Fine pierced and engraved gilt brass Louis XVI hands. Melody indication white enamel dial on the left side panel of the base. M. Brass circular, three train with going barrels, anchor escapement, "sunburst" pendulum with silk suspension, striking and repeating on two bells the striking work on the back plate, striking locking lever below the dial and pull repeating cord of the left side of the movement. Organ with double fusee and chain, fly regulator, wooden pinned cylinder and 17 pipes, playing 8 different melodies. The organ train is released by the striking train at each hour or at will, with optional lever on the front face for repeating or automatic change of the melody. Music at will by means of a small lever on the left side of the clock movement. Signed on the back plate In very good condition. Dim. 88 x 52 x 39.5 cm.