Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 17, 2013

LOT 248

EROTIC AUTOMATON WATCH Swiss. Made circa 1910. Fine, 18K gold keyless pocket watch with concealed independent erotic automaton.

CHF 3,500 - 5,500

USD 4,000 - 6,000 / EUR 3,000 - 4,500

Sold: CHF 6,875

C. Five-body, bassine, polished. Hinged cuvette with hinged gold cover concealing the varicolored metal erotic automaton depicting a couple in an interior, the automaton powered by the opening and closing of the cuvette cover. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic five-minute numerals, subsidiary seconds. Fancy gilt hands. M. 18???, matte gilt, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, notched bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. DIAM. 49.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-24-01

Good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Notes

The automaton scene is unusually not driven from the watch movement but independently powered by the action of opening and closing the cover concelaing it. This is reminiscent of the ?remontoire perpétuel à décrochement? keyless cover winding first patented by Haas Neveux in 1873.