Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, May 10, 2025
LOT 490
PERRIN FRÈRES, SWITZERLAND, TIGHTROPE DANCER, AUTOMATON WATCH WITH MUSICAL AND QUARTER-REPEATING TRAINS. MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, 18K YELLOW GOLD
CHF 40,000 - 80,000
HKD 380,000 - 760,000 / USD 48,900 - 98,000 / EUR 43,000 - 86,000
Sold: CHF 50,000
An extremely rare and fine 18k. gold and enamel, manual wind the case with engine-turned band and back and reeded bezels. Hinged gilt-metal cuvette. Small engine turned gold dial with Arabic numerals, blued-steel hands. The dial plate of gold enamelled with a finely painted lake side landscape, a village and mountains visible in the background, varicoloured gilt figures of musicians flanking the dial, the gentleman playing a lyre, the lady a lute, their arms moving in time with the music, and suspended between the vases is a thin "rope" upon which the Tightrope walker balances holding a pole in his arms; as the music plays, he bounces on the rope, moving the other leg and the pole to maintain his equilibrium.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Perrin frères, Switzerland
Model tightrope dancer
Year Circa 1815
Case No. 9097
Diameter 61 mm.
Caliber Frosted and gilt hait plate, cylinder escapement with plain three-arm brass balance and flat balance spring with jewelled coqueret. Cylinder musical train playing on the hour or at will, with 29 tooth comb grouped in pairs, and covered by an engraved and gilt plate. Quarter-repeating on two gongs by depressing the pendant. Music set-off and pendant lock in the case band.
Signature signed on the cuvette
Accessories Box
Notes
Alongside the "Moses" watch, the Tightrope walker may be considered as the rarest of automaton watches made in the area of Neuchâtel. To date no more than 7 examples are known to have survived, including the watch now offered for sale, with two at least of these being in museum collections. AII are slightly different in detail, most notably the enamel subjects. A similar watch were sold in Antiquorum: 17 October 1993, lot 355, lot 362 April 1994 lot 362, lot 271 March 2001. Literature: Chapuis et Gelis, Le Monde des Automates, Paris, 1928, Vol. Il, p. 53, fig. 325. Chapuis et Droz, Les Automates, Neuchâtel, 1949, p.184, figs. 197-199. (Sandoz Collection, also illustrated in the Château des Monts Catalogue).