Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 71

Attributable to Piguet & Capt, Geneva, circa 1810. Extremely rare and fine 18K gold and enamel pearl-set trefoil-shaped musical vinaigrette with automaton scene and fitted with a watch, in original red Morocco fitted box.

CHF -

EUR 0 - 0 / USD 0 - 0

Sold: CHF 575,500

C. Five-body, of trefoil form with split pearl-set border, three compartments, their black enamel hinged lids with symbols evoking their contents: musical trophies for the automaton scene and music, symbols of love and fidelity for the watch (the hours of love), flowers for the vinaigrette which also has a hinged gold engine-turned inner lid. Driven by the musical train and applied onto the foreground of a fine enameled Alpine scene with a lake and mountains, the five-colored gold automaton scene depicts a shepherdess playing the guitar by a waterfall, dark blue translucent enamel side and base panels over flinqué, the floral decoration on the chased border with enamel accents. D. Gold with Breguet numerals on a polished chapter ring, the center engraved with a rosette, outer foliage decoration over a matte ground. M. shaped similarly to the dial, gilt brass, cylinder escapement, three-arm plain brass balance, flat balance spring. Musical and automaton movement: pin drum musical train with two sets of stacked vibrating blades, one of four and one of five blades, the cam driving the automata fitted on the top of the barrel, the twisted steel rod simulating the waterfall driven by a contrate wheel off the barrel. Dim. 39 x 40 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-52

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Only one other identical vinaigrette is known. It was sold by Antiquorum on April 18, 1998, lot No. 57, and is now in the Patek Philippe Museum. Two other similar pieces are known, one sold by Christie?s on May 18, 1994, lot 391, and a larger one described and illustrated by A. Chapuis and E. Gelis in ?Le Monde des Automates?, page 50, fig. 320. ?Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.