Antiquorum in Love, Impotant Horology...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 16, 1997

LOT 51

Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1790. "Indiscretion" Very fine and highly unusual 18K gold quarter repeating watch with the bells incorporated within the movement and concealed painted erotic automaton scene with independent movement.

CHF 20,000 - 25,000

USD 14,000 - 17,000

Sold: CHF 37,030

C. Three body, Directoire, polished, a secret push piece beneath the bezel open the back to reveal the painted automaton scene featuring the blessedness of the Peeping Tom. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals and outer minute ring. Polished "spade" hands with blued steel tips. M. Hinged gilt brass inverted one quarter plate with cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass threearm balance, blued steel flat balance spring. Repeating by depressing the pendant on two bells included in the movement. Automaton movement concealed in the back with going barrel driving the automata by means of cams and levers. Diam. 59 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 4

Fair
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 22

Later original

Notes

Most of the few watches known to exist, fitted with similar movements, carry the signature of the Geneva watchmakers Chevalier & Cochet who could well have devised them although there is no documentation supporting this. Automaton scenes in watches driven by a independent concealed movement are very rare, even more so when, like in this watch, they are made so thin and fitted in such a way that it is hard to guess anything is concealed in the back of the case.