Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 24, 1999

LOT 593

Henry Capt a Geneve, No. 364, circa 1810. Very fine and rare 18K gold quarter repeating musical watch with an automaton scene and subsidiary automaton Jacks.

CHF 35,000 - 40,000

Sold: CHF 34,500

C. Double body, Empire, polished with reeded 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 plate double train movement with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, cylinder escapement, plain brass threearm 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. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: *3

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-04

Good

HANDS Later

Notes

A similar movement is described and illustrated in Reec Cyclopaedia, p. 280, pl. XLIII. Capt Henry-Daniel He was born in Chenit (VD) in 1773. He married Henriette Piguet. Important watchmaker specialised in complicated watches with music and automaton scenes. He was among the first to use the steel tuned teeth in musical watches. IIe was associated with Isaac Daniel Piguet from Ventose 16, year 10 (1802) until 1811. Piguet & Capt Isaac Daniel Piguet and Henry Capt were partners from 1802 to 1811. They were specialised in music and automaton watches and also produces some very fine musical snuff boxes with automaton scenes. Two small musical movements with five vibrating teeth, playing tunes on five notes, were among their first productions in 1802.