Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 141

Charles Bruguier, rue des Paquis No. 5 a Geneve, No. 385, watch movement by Huguenin & Berney a Geneve, circa 1840. Very fine silver gilt and enamel, singing bird box with built-in watch, in original fitted box.

CHF 20,000 - 24,000

Sold: CHF 18,400

C. Two part with lobed corners, entirely engraved with flowers over an engine-turned ground, the cover enamelled with painted bunches of flowers against a blue ground. Compartment on the front panel for the watch with hinged cover. The lid enamelled with a finely painted view of a park, a couple of swans in a pound on the foreground, a bunch of flowers on the enamel backing. Pierced and engraved gilt-brass grid. Multicolour feathered bird with moving body, wings, tail, opening beak and turning head. D. White enamel with Roman numerals. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. Brass plate, fusee with chain, 7 stacked cams, fly regulator and rectangular bellow. Watch movement: Square 12"', gilt brass, bar calibre with going barrel, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator. Singing bird signature punched on the movement and scratched on a bridge. Watch signature on the movement. Dim. 95 x 60 x 37 mm.


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Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 18

Spotted
Movement: 4

Fair
Dial: 21-51

Period

Partially reprinted

Notes

Charles Abraham Bruguier Charles-Abraham Bruguier, was born in Geneva in 1788. Ile spent the first years of his career working for other manufacturers making automata, before returning to Geneva and establishing his own business. His workshops continued under the guidance of his two sons, followed by his grandson. Bruguier understood better than his predecessors (Jaquet-Droz, Leschot and Les Freres Rochat) the secrets of successfully recreating "bird-song", and he achieved considerable i mprovements in the design of the movements. His early works, of ss'hich this cage is an example, are considered as the finest "singing" mechanisms ever made in a small size. Bird cages of this period are very rare, with only six known to exist in gold cases and a similar number in gilt metal.