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.

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.