Swiss musical automaton for the Chinese market Circa 1810

Gold, enamel and pearl-set cylinder watch probably by Piguet & Meylan
–
An extremely fine Swiss 18 carat gold, enamel and pearl-set open faced centre seconds musical figured automaton cylinder pocket watch with concealed erotic scene made for the Chinese market, circa 1810. The front of the watch with enamel painting depicting an alpine landscape, decentralized in the lower area a white enamel dial with Roman hours and outer minute divisions, a centre seconds hand and fine steel Breguet hands, gold figured automaton with a putto and butterfly on a seesaw above. The figured automaton and music are running simultaneously. The case back with polychrome enamel scene, multi-coloured enamel rim, gold inlays, pearl-set on both sides, spring lid function, the second lid also with multicolour enamel, florally decorated, two winding holes, one for the movement and one for the musical mechanism, the second lid is also a spring lid with underneath the hidden erotic scene on the hinged dust lid, which is also made of gold, underneath the early cylinder movement and the musical mechanism, floral enamelled lid with peripheral inscription S/M for the lever adjusting/stopping the musical mechanism, case rim with slider for music release on demand, case punched AIB1016 and K18 on the inside.
–
The entire watch is very well preserved and has been elaborately restored in 2018 and 2019. Even the complicated musical movement was completely disassembled and restored. Today the watch is fully functional and is in impressive condition. The erotic scene has been completely restored. The pearls also had to be partly replaced.

Comparable pieces were assigned to the manufacturer Piguet & Meylan in Geneva, who probably also made this watch. Amongst others, the design of the pendant points that out.
–
Diameter: 45 mm
–
Weight: 107 g
–
Name watchmaker: No name