Piguet & Meylan Musical Automaton Rose Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1820
This 18-karat gold musical automaton watch, known as "The Rose," was produced by Piguet & Meylan in Geneva, circa 1820, for the Chinese market. The back of the case displays a painted underside of the rose, while the front contains a white dial with Roman numerals.
The dial background features a landscape scene including a temple and garden, serving as a stage for gold automata depicting a harpist and Cupid with a lyre. The watch functions as both a timepiece and a musical automaton, playing music either on the hour or upon request. The mechanism is controlled via a set-off bolt and a silent/music lever positioned on the bezel.
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
- Maker
- Piguet & Meylan
- Diameter
- 48 mm
- Material
- 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set
- Publication
- Sandberg book, La Montre Chinoise, Le Monde des Automates
- Serial Number
- 3564
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Automaton Features
- Varicoloured gold figures of a lady playing the harp and Cupid with a lyre
- Maker / attribution
- Piguet & Meylan
Design
- Visible features
- • Case shaped as a pink rose with pearl-set stem pendant • Automata on dial featuring a harpist and Cupid • Eccentric Roman numeral hour chapter ring • Blued-steel Breguet-style hands
- Dial and Automaton Mechanism
- The dial consists of a white background featuring an eccentric Roman numeral chapter ring at the top. The surrounding dial space is painted with a landscape depiction, including a garden with roses and forget-me-nots, a sea, and a cliff-side Temple of Love. The time is indicated by blued-steel Breguet hands. In the foreground, varicoloured gold automaton figures are set against the scene. These include a lady playing a harp, accompanied by Cupid on a lyre and a nesting dove. The movement incorporates a two-train system with a fixed barrel to drive the music and automaton functions. The automata are driven by a revolving disc with 16 tuned teeth and a ratchet wheel cam with irregular teeth.
- Case and External Construction
- The watch case is constructed from 18-karat gold, modeled in the shape of a pink rose. The reverse of the case features an enamel painting of the underside of the flower, showing pink petals and green leaves. The pendant of the watch is formed by a stem set with pearls, which terminates in five graduated, pearl-set petals at the center of the rose. The bezel of the watch is also decorated with painted rose petals. The outer edge of the case incorporates a geometrical pattern executed in dark blue enamel, complemented by further half-pearl settings. The design is a specific construction aimed at the Chinese market as reported by the auction records.
- Movement and Technical Details
- The watch is powered by a gilt brass bridge calibre movement measuring 35.4 mm. It utilizes a cylinder escapement with a gold three-arm balance and a blued-steel flat balance spring. Musical function is managed by a revolving disc with tuned teeth that play every hour or on request. Operational controls for the musical functions include a set-off bolt located at 7 o'clock and a silent/music lever positioned under the bezel at 5 o'clock. The movement is marked with the maker's stamp and the serial number on the plate beneath the dial.
Identification
- Serial number
- 3564
- 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 the Chinese market is provided by the auction description
- Research required: Specific mechanical condition rating requires interpretation of the auction house grading system