Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 280

COURVOISIER MUSICAL AND REPEATING WATCH WITH VIRGULE ESCAPEMENT - SUSANNA AND THE ELDERS Courvoisier & Compagnie, the movement attributed to Piguet et Meylan, Geneva, No. 137. Made circa 1820. Very fine and rare, 18K pink gold and painted on enamel, quarter-repeating, musical pocket watch with music playing on the hour or at will and virgule escapement.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

USD 65,000 - 85,000 / EUR 50,000 - 66,000

C. Four-body, "Empire", polished and reeded bezels, ribbed band, bolt at 1 o?clock to lock the repeat and at 11 to activate the music, the back cover with a fi nely painted on enamel scene depicting Susanna and the elders, gold paillon and royal blue enamel border. Hinged gilt brass cuvette with apertures for winding and hand-setting. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 52 mm (22'''), gilt brass two-train, with standing barrel for the going train, virgule escapement, plain gold three-arm balance, fl at balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Sur plateau musical movement, 24 tuned, vibrating blades acting on both sides of the pinned disc, music/silence lever at the edge of the cuvette beneath the back cover. Cuvette signed Courvoisier, dial plate punch numbered 137.. Diam. 57 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-24

Very good

Slightly chipped
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

The movement of this watch can be confi dently attributed to the fi rm of Piguet & Meylan. The use of the virgule escapement, pink gold case and fi ne enamel scene show that this watch is of higher grade. The sound of the music is strong, clear and resonant. Susanna and The Elders The story is set in Babylon, and tells how Susanna, the wife of a prosperous Jew was secretly desired by two elders of the community and they plotted to seduce her. She was accustomed to go into her garden to bathe and one day the two elders hid themselves and as soon as her maids had gone they sprang out naked on the unsuspecting girl. They threatened her that unless she gave herself to them they would swear she had committed adultery for which the penalty was death. She cried out and the elders carried out their threat. She was only saved by Daniel who cross-examined the elders and proved her innocence.