Attributable to Piguet et Meylan 18K Pink Gold Quarter-Repeating Musical Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1815
This open-face pocket watch, catalogued as attributable to Piguet et Meylan and dated circa 1815, features an 18k pink gold case measuring 58 mm across. The auction source describes a manual-wind gilded brass caliber measuring 22 lines with 4 jewels, a going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance, and blued steel flat hairspring.
A quarter-repeater mechanism strikes on two steel gongs when the pendant is depressed. The watch also incorporates a 'sur plateau' musical movement with 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades acting on both sides of a pinned disc. Visually, the dial displays an enameled central medallion depicting musical instruments and sheet music, framed by an outer Roman numeral chapter ring and gold-tone hands.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Quarter-repeating musical pocket watch
- Diameter
- 58 mm
- Case number
- 384
- Case material
- 18K pink gold
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Caliber details
- 22''', 4 jewels, gilded brass
- Musical mechanism
- 'sur plateau' with 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades
- Maker / attribution
- Attributable to Piguet et Meylan
- Repeating mechanism
- Quarter-repeater on two steel gongs
Design
- Visible features
- • Open-face pocket watch with pendant and bow positioned at 12 o'clock. • Central circular enamel medallion painted with musical instruments, flowers, and sheet music against a dark blue ground. • Surrounding gold-toned chapter ring with blue Roman numerals and peripheral dot markers. • Pierced gold-toned hour and minute hands. • Engine-turned or textured rim detail surrounding the dial crystal bezel.
- Case and Complications
- According to the auction catalogue, the watch is encased in 18k pink gold measuring 58 mm in diameter, with case number 384. The quarter-repeating mechanism strikes on two steel gongs and is activated by depressing the pendant. The movement also includes a 'sur plateau' musical mechanism featuring 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades acting on both sides of a pinned disc. The music plays on the hour or at will, controlled by a music and silence lever located at the edge of the cuvette beneath the case-back.
- Visual Dial Presentation
- The open-face pocket watch features a decorative dial framed within a gold-toned chapter ring. The central section is occupied by a circular enamel medallion set against a dark blue ground, painted with an arrangement of flowers, sheet music, and musical instruments. Surrounding this medallion, the gold-toned chapter ring displays blue Roman numerals and peripheral dot markers. The dial is fitted with pierced gold-toned hour and minute hands, and an engine-turned or textured rim detail borders the dial crystal bezel.
- Movement Details and Attribution
- The movement is catalogued as a 22-ligne gilded brass caliber with 4 jewels, a going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance, and blued steel flat hairspring. The watch is dated circa 1815 and catalogued as 'Attributable to Piguet et Meylan, Switzerland'. The auction house notes provenance as the property of a Spanish collector. Internal plates, mechanical components, and case hallmarks are not depicted in the provided photograph.
Identification
- Serial number
- 384
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Attribution to Piguet et Meylan is source-reported and not signed on the visible dial.
- Research required: Internal movement, repeat mechanism, and case hallmarks are not visible in the supplied single photograph.