Gold and enamel musical automaton pocket watch attributed to Piguet & Meylan
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1820
This 18K pink gold pocket watch, measuring approximately 53 mm in diameter, is attributed to Piguet & Meylan and dates to circa 1820 for the Chinese market. It features oriental half pearl embellishments across both sides, the pendant, bow, and band.
The reverse displays an enamel painting of a floral bouquet. The obverse houses an off-center white enamel dial with Roman numerals and center seconds, situated above an automaton scene set against an enameled landscape, featuring a lady with a hurdy-gurdy and a seated musician. Mechanically, it operates via a cylinder movement with hour and quarter repeating and a musical movement with hourly release.
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
- Musical automaton pocket watch
- Gem Setting
- Set with half Oriental pearls on both sides, band, pendant, and bow
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Case Serial Number
- 4836
- Movement Functions
- Cylinder movement with hour and quarter repeating and musical automaton release
- Maker / attribution
- Piguet & Meylan (attributed)
- Case Material and Dimensions
- 18K pink gold, approximately 53 mm in diameter and 127 g in weight
Design
- Visible features
- • Reverse cover features a polychrome floral enamel bouquet with roses, poppies, and smaller garden blossoms against a pale ground • Obverse presents a decentralized white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and center seconds above a figural pastoral automaton • Perimeter bezels, pendant neck, and bow are set with rows of half pearls
- Identity and Attribution
- The pocket watch is attributed to the Geneva-based makers Piguet & Meylan, noted as the primary producers of such automatons. The source clarifies that this identification is an attribution and not derived from a signed mark. The piece is associated with the Chinese market and features a serial number, 4836. Specific stylistic features, such as the dark blue and turquoise enamel band, are described as typical for Piguet & Meylan.
- Mechanism and Operational Status
- The watch contains a cylinder movement with an hour and quarter-repeater, along with a musical mechanism that triggers an hourly release for the figural automaton. The musical movement is reported to sound functional, and the lady with the hurdy-gurdy automaton is in working order. The auction source reports that the automaton depicting the young man with the lute is not moving. Minor restorations to the case and the automaton are noted, including the removal, restoration, and reinstallation of a plaque.
- Construction and Decorative Detail
- Constructed in 18K pink gold, the watch measures approximately 53mm in diameter and weighs approximately 127g. The exterior features half Oriental pearls set on both sides, the pendant, and the bow. A button next to the pendant operates the back spring lid. The case back displays a floral bouquet enamel painting in Geneva top quality, which has been partially professionally restored in the peripheral area. The dial side features an off-center white enamel dial with a center seconds hand, positioned above a figural automaton set against an enameled background.
Identification
- Serial number
- 4836
- 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 & Meylan is an auction house attribution rather than a signature mark
- Research required: Source notes the painting on the reverse was partially restored in the peripheral area and reinstalled
- Research required: Source states that the automaton figure of the young man with the lute was not moving at the time of cataloging