Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 10, 2013

LOT 562

GOLD, ENAMEL, PEARL & TURQUOISE MUSICAL SNUFF BOX WITH CONCEALED WATCH - STACKED MUSICAL TEETH Swiss, the box attributed to Georges Reymond, Geneva, the movements attributed to Piguet et Capt, No. 118. Made circa 1810. Extremely fine and very rare, 18K gold, enamel, pearl and turquoise-set musical snuffbox with built-in concealed watch and stacked steel musical teeth.

CHF 30,000 - 50,000

HKD 250,000 - 415,000 / USD 32,000 - 53,000

Sold: CHF 75,000

Four-body, rectangular oval decorated with black champleve enamel diamond-shaped reserves with engraved flowerheads in a band around each end, engraved stylized foliage and black champleve flowerheads between, engine- turned main body, the hinged lid panel matted with foliate corners, central applied chased gold flower spray set with pearls and turquoises, opening to reveal a polished interior, hinged cover at the end opening to reveal the watch decorated to match the case. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer dot minute divisions, gold mask with engraved and white champleve enamel flowers and foliage, secured by four screws, apertures for winding, hand-setting and regulation. Blued steel hands. 40 x 16.5 mm., oval, gilt brass, fixed going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, index regulator. Musical movement : 40 x 17 mm. oval brass plates, pinned barrel with two sets of 14 tuned steel stacked teeth. Musical movement punch numbered 118, box with indistinct maker's mark G?


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-24

Good

Slightly chipped
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIM. 78 x 42.5 x 19.5 mm. The unusual musical train of this watch was developed from that described and illustrated in Rees's Cyclopaedia, plate XLIII and also used by Henri Capt in his musical watches with automaton scenes. The box is typical of the workshop of Georges Reymond and the indistinct mark 'G ?' in the interior of the lid appears to be the correct letter type for the Reymond mark.