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

Gilt metal open faced keyless lever by Reuge
–
A fine Swiss gilt metal open faced keyless lever pocket watch with a visible built-in music box, 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 beneath the back cover, a gilt-brass keyless watch movement, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Silver engine-turned dial with Roman numerals on a brushed reserve, an aperture above 6 o’clock to view the music box and original blued steel Breguet hands. Massive, polished case, the hinged back with engine-turned decoration. Dial and case signed. Comes in the original fitted wooden box.
–
Diameter: 64 mm
–
Signed: Reuge Music Swiss made
–
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.