The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 78

Henry Capt, Genève, No. 364, circa 1815.Very fine and rare, 18K gold, quarter repeating musical watch with an automaton scene and subsidiary automaton Jacks.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 2,760

C. Double body, Empire, polished with ribbed band. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. D. Small eccentric gold engine-turned with Roman numerals on a polished chapter ring. Blued steel "spade" hands. The dial plate with automaton cherub Jacks on each side of the dial, repeating hours and quarters on two bells, the foreground applied with a varicoloured gold chased automaton scene driven by the musical train, featuring a seated lady playing the harp while her music teacher beats time. M. Gilt brass full pate double train movement with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, small gilt brass English type cock with diamond end-stone, the foot countersunk on an applied gilt brass plate engraved with scrolls of foliage. Repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant. Musical train with pin-barrel and six stacked steel teeth.Signed on the gilt brass dust rim.Diam. 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: * 3
Dial: 3 - 04

Notes

A similar movement is described and illustrated in Ree's Cyclopaedia, p. 280, pl. XLIII.Henry-Daniel CaptBorn in Chenit in 1773, married Henriette Piguet. He was specialised in the production of complicated watches, musical watches and automaton watches. Among the first in Geneva to use musical mechanism with pinned cylinder and tuned teeth comb, he was famous for his snuffboxes with music and automaton scenes. From Ventôse 16, An X (March 7, 1802), to 1811, he formed a partnership with Daniel Isaac Piguet, native from the same village. Their signature was Piguet & Capt. In 1811, when Piguet brokeff to join Meylan in a new partnership, Henry-Daniel Capt decided to work on his own until, in 1830, he formed a new partnership with Aubert and his son, Place Bel-Air vis-à-vis de la balance. Their signature was Aubert & Capt. They were among the first makers in Geneva to produce watches with chronograph. In 1844 the workshop was at108, rue Neuve in Geneva and was then managed by his son, Henri Capt Jr. After a short time the workshop moved to85, rue de la Fusterie, and in 1851, to 177, rue du Rhône. In 1880, the firm was bought by Gallopin and its name became H. Capt Horloger, Maison Gallopin Successeurs, trademark registered on November 1, 1880, under No. 44. This signature was only used for watches retailed in their own store, the watches supplied to other retailers being just signed, Henry Capt.