Half pearls gold enamel quarter repeating watch Circa 1820

Gold quarter repeating watch with  musical movement
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A Swiss gentleman’s exquisite half pearl studded gold enamel quarter repeating pocket watch with pin wheel escapement and musical movement,
for the Chinese market – with original watch key with enamel decoration, circa 1820.
An 18 Carat rose gold case on/off lever for the musical movement “S/M”. Gilt, engine turned and florally engraved dial white enamel cartouches.
The case back is decorated with a wavy and floral engine turned pattern and translucent cobalt blue enamelling; both sides are set with half pearls.
The striking condition of the engine turned decoration and the exquisite dial attest to the outstanding quality of this watch and the appreciation that it was shown by its previous owners.
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Diameter: 43 mm
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Weight: 60 g
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Signed: J.D. Piguet et S. Meylan à Genève
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Piguet was an expert craftsman who produced his watches in partnership with Henry Capt and Philippe Samuel Meylan, and later also with his sons. Philippe Samuel Meylan came to Geneva at the age of 20 to work for Louis Audemars & Cie. He opened his own workshop near Le Brassus in 1811, but returned to Geneva later. He met Piguet and formed a partnership with him; they worked in Geneva under the name “Piguet & Meylan” from 1811 to 1828. The company was well known for the production of early ” China watches” and became famous for its pocket watches with special functions; they created automatons with man and animal shapes and intricate musical mechanisms as well as skeleton watches.