Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 297

LARGE SILVER & ENAMEL SINGING BIRD BOX DESK CLOCK Attributed to Raymy's, Geneva, No. 642. Made in the 1920s. Very fine and rare, large, silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box fitted with an 8-day going keyless watch with alarm. Accompanied by the original fitted box and key.

CHF 25,000 - 35,000

USD 27,000 - 37,000 / EUR 21,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 36,250

C. Three-body, rectangular with engraved borders, the sides and top overlaid with translucent light blue guilloche enamel decorated with white enamel fl ower swags, the top border and bezel with a repeated leaf pattern on a royal blue champleve enamel ground, cast and chased acanthus feet, the bird cover painted on enamel with a scene of an alpine lake with sunray sky. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute track. Gilt Louis XVI hands. M. Watch : 19???, matte gilt, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating fl at balance spring, index regulator. Singing bird : Rectangular brass, going barrel and rectangular bellows, the revolving bird with moving wings, tail and beak, controlled by two cams mounted beneath the barrel wheel, gilt brass grill pierced and engraved with foliage. Case and movement numbered. Dim. 80 x 102 x 65 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

This very impressive and attractive singing bird box is in extremely good condition with perfect unrestored enamel and silver-gilt case. It can be attributed to the Geneva maker Raymy?s on the basis of another box with almost identical case decoration which Raymy's is illustrated in : Flights of Fancy, Mechanical Singing Birds, Sharon & Christian Bailly, 2001, p. 372.