Importantes Montres de Collection

Geneva, May 15, 2011

LOT 346

Musical Quarter-Repeating Watch With Painted Enamel Dial Perrin freres, Swiss, No. 8858. Made circa 1820. Extremely rare and fine, musical and quarter-repeating, 18K gold and enamel pocket watch with barillet-type pinned cylinder musical movement.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

USD 22,000 - 33,000 / EUR 15,000 - 23,000

Sold: CHF 36,250

C. Four-body, "Empire", engine-turned back and reeded band and bezels, bolt for music activation in the band. Hinged gilt-metal cuvette. D. Gold dial with Arabic numerals on white enamel chapter plaques, outer white enamel minute-ring, the center finely painted on enamel scene of a maiden playing a lyre with a musical trophy. Gold and blued-steel hands. M. Frosted and gilt half-plate, cylinder escapement with plain three-arm brass balance and flat balance spring. Polished steel endplate, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Cylinder musical train playing on the hour or at will, with 29 tooth comb grouped in pairs and trios, and covered by an engraved and gilt plate secured by two screws. Cuvette signed. Diam. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-75-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Slightly restored soft enamel

HANDS Original

Notes

The movement of this watch is the rare barillet-type with pinned cylinder, a miniature version of the type of movements found in full-size musical boxes. Most makers during the early 19th century used the sur-plateau type movement with a flat pinned rotating disc as opposed to a cylinder. The cylinder type is more robust and gives a more resonant sound, but requires a thicker case to house it. This watch has an identical musical movement to that of the famous ?Tightrope Walker? automaton, also by Perrin, sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, October 17, 1993, lot 355.