Austrian 18K gold form watch with enamel decoration Circa 1800

Gold and enamel form watch
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An Austrian rare and exquisite 18 carat gold key wind concealed watch in the form of a mandolin with polychrome enamel decoration, circa 1800. Gilt full plate fusée verge, pierced and engraved balance bridge, silver regulation disc.
Gold case in the form of a mandolin, engraved and decorated with blue, cream and black enamel stripes to the body, polychrome enamel pastoral scene of three ladies with a young man reading to the soundboard, striped neck and blue head.
White, black Arabic numerals, winding aperture at 2, polished hand. Dial and movement signed.
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Dimensions: 28 mm x 64 mm
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Signed: Johan Jacob Hechel, Wien
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Musical instruments as vessels for timepieces first start appearing around the late 18th Century. Their popularity peaked in the early 19th century with the likes of makers such as Isaac Daniel Piguet and Henry Capt excelling in the field. They were usually Swiss in origin with some French and Austrian examples, such as the current lot, also appearing on the market for discerning collectors of the day.