Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 11, 2012

LOT 369

THE CHERUB MUSICIANS ? THREE HAMMER CARILLON MINUTE REPEATER & AUTOMATON WATCH WITH FOUR ACTIONS Attributed to C. Barbezat-Baillot, Le Locle-Suisse, No. 12652. Made circa 1890. Fine and very rare, large, carillon minute-repeating with three hammers on three gongs, 18K gold hunting cased, keyless pocket watch with painted on enamel automaton jacks with four actions.

CHF 35,000 - 45,000

USD 38,000 - 50,000 / EUR 30,000 - 37,000

Sold: CHF 43,750

C. Four-body, ?bassine?, etched and engraved with stylized foliage, the front cover with monogram ?AS?. Hinged gold cuvette. D. Small cream enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds, fl anked by polychrome painted on enamel cherub musicians repeating hours, quarters, and minutes on bells and a tambourine, two further polychrome musicians below, the putti to the left rising when the repeat slide is activated, the whole on a matte gilt plate. Blued steel spade hands. M. 44 mm (20???), matte gilt, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating with three hammers on three gongs activated by a slide on the band. Case punched AF & Ce and numbered. Diam. 55.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 301

Notes

This watch is unusual in having a three-hammer repeating mechanism and three automaton fi gures simulating the striking. Another particularly unusual feature is the cherub to the left of the dial rises and falls upon activation of the repeating.