Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 57

Attributable to Piguet & Capt, Geneva, circa 1810. Extremely rare and fine 18K gold and enamel pearlset trefoil shaped musical vinaigrette with automaton scene and built-in watch, in original red Morocco fitted box.

CHF 120,000 - 140,000

Sold: CHF 322,500

C. Five body of trefoil-form with split-pearl set border, three compartments, the compartment lids decorated in polychrome enamel over a black ground with symbols evoking their contents: musical trophies for the automaton scene and music, Love and Fidelity symbols for the watch (the hours of love), flowers for the vinaigrette; the latter with hinged gold engineturned inner lid. Driven by the musical train and applied on the foreground of a fine enamelled lakeside landscape with mountains on the background, the five coloured gold automaton scene depicts a shepherdess playing the guitar by a waterfall. Blue flinque enamel side and base panels, the floral decoration on the chased border with enamel accents. D. Gold with Breguet numerals on a polished chapter ring, the centre engraved with a rosette, outer foliage decoration over a matted ground. M. Shaped gilt-brass half plate with going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring. Pin-drum musical train with two sets of stacked vibrating blades, one of four and one of five, the cam driving the automata being fitted on the top of the barrel, the twisted rod si mulating the waterfall, on the opposite side. Dim. 39 x 40 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 18

Spotted
Movement: *2

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-51

As new

Partially reprinted

Notes

lot 391 and a larger one of the same type is described and illust rated by A. Chapuis and E. Delis in Le Mondes des Automates, p. 50, fig. 320. 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.