Piguet & Meylan attributed gold, enamel, and pearl musical repeating pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1815
This 18K gold pocket watch, measuring approximately 56.5 mm in diameter, is attributed to Geneva makers Piguet & Meylan and dates to circa 1815. Produced for the Chinese market, the piece features a cylinder escapement, hour and quarter repeating mechanism, and an on-demand musical movement.
Its case is decorated with translucent red enamel over an engine-turned pattern and bordered on both sides with split pearls. The bow and pendant feature polychrome champlevé enamel accents with pearl settings. The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals, Arabic minute numerals at fifteen-minute intervals, and blued steel hands including a centre seconds hand.
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 repeating pocket watch
- Diameter
- Ca. Ø56.5 mm
- Escapement
- Cylinder escapement
- Case material
- 18K gold
- Market context
- Chinese market
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement functions
- Quarter repeater and musical movement
- Maker / attribution
- Piguet & Meylan Geneve (attributed)
Design
- Visible features
- • Translucent red guilloché enamel case back bordered by a complete ring of split pearls. • Engine-turned radiating wavy sunburst pattern visible beneath the red enamel layer. • Ornate champlevé enamelled bow set with seed pearls and decorated with light blue and dark blue details.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals and is fitted with steel hands, including a central seconds hand. The movement features a cylinder escapement and includes an hour and quarter repeating mechanism alongside a musical movement that functions on demand.
- Case and Decoration
- The watch case features a translucent red enamel finish applied over an engine-turned pattern. The case is bordered on both sides with a ring of half pearls described as Oriental pearls. The pendant and bow are decorated with polychrome champlevé enamel on a light blue background, incorporating red engine-turned enamel cartouches that match the back lid.
- Object Identification and Attribution
- This pocket watch is attributed to the Genevan firm Piguet & Meylan, which was active from 1811 to 1828. The attribution is based on the watch's serial number 4147, its design, and the quality of construction, as the piece does not bear a visible maker's signature. The item is described as an 18K gold musical repeating watch dating to approximately 1815 and produced for the Chinese market.
Identification
- Serial number
- 4147
- 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: Maker attribution to Piguet & Meylan is based on style, quality, and serial number rather than a visible signature.
- Research required: The internal movement and movement plate are not pictured in the provided images.