Swiss keyless lever with visible built-in music box Circa 1987

Gold-plated and enamel hunting cased musical watch by Reuge
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A fine Swiss gold-plated and printed on enamel hunting cased keyless lever pocket watch with a visible built-in music box activated when the cover is opened, circa 1985-1990. Gilt-brass movement with a musical train including a pinned cylinder and 17 teeth, a hand-tuned comb and start/stop button on the back cover, a gilt-brass keyless watch movement, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, shock absorber. Small white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, an engraved gilt mask decorated with musical trophies, an aperture below to view the music box and original black Breguet hands. A foliate engraved case, the front cover decorated with a printed and soft enamel scene of a music lesson. Dial and musical movement signed. Accompanied by a fitted box.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Signed: Reuge Sainte-Croix Swiss
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The origins of Reuge date back to 1865 when Charles Reuge set up a musical pocket watch shop in the Swiss Mountain town of Sainte-Croix. By 1886 his son, Albert Reuge opened a music box workshop, the company experienced success and their mechanisms were to be found in a range of products such as powder compacts and cigarette lighters. By 1930 Guido Reuge had built the Reuge factory and he guided the company for over 60 years. Today Reuge retains its historical elements still producing singing birds but moving with the times, their music boxes today come in traditional but also modern and innovative designs.