Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 132

A(braham) Chapuis & Barral, fecit à Genève 1812. Very fine musical watch with cylinder musical movement, of unusual construction and with quarter-repeating, accompanied by a gold chain and key.

CHF 8,000 - 10,000

EUR 5,000 - 6,500 / USD 6,500 - 8,000

Sold: CHF 9,200

C. Four-body, "Empire", polished back, reeded band and bezels, gilt hingedcuvette. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, windingaperture at 4. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 50 mm (22'''), fixed barrel, cylin-der escapement, three-arm brass balance with flat balance spring, repeatingon gongs by depressing the pendant, pinned cylinder musical movementwith 35 tuned vibrating blades divided into twelve sections of three bladeseach and one of two, pinion governor in eccentric socket for tempo adjust-ment, gold engine-turned cover over the pinned cylinder.Pinned cylinder signed.Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-11-15

Good

Slightly worn

Slightly rusted
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-29 - 01

Fair

Notes

An interesting watch by little-known makers. The construction is unusual due to the use of a pinned cylinder for the music rather than the more usual pinned barrel, and to the arrangement of the gongs on the pillar plate under the dial. LiteraturEKatheleen H. Pritchard in Swiss Timepiece Makers, West Kennebunk, 1997, p. C-27. Abraham Chapuis & Barral. Working during the early 19th century, they made musical watches with cylin- der. A watch is known by them, signed on the cylinder and dated 1812. Their watches are often quarter repeaters with reverse cylinder or virgule escape- ments.