Early Italian gold quarter repeating erotic watch Circa 1830

Gold cylinder watch with erotic scene for the Chinese market
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A magnificent Italian 18 carat gold open faced timepiece featuring a quarter repeating mechanism and a concealed polychrome enamel erotic scene, made by the celebrated court jewellers Musy Père et Fils in Turin, circa 1830. This watch has a mechanical keywinding movement with a cylinder escapement, a spiral balance, an advance/retard adjustment regulator racket, and a quarter repeating mechanism chiming with two hammers on gongs activated by pressing the pendant. The finely engine turned gold dial features cartouches with black Roman numerals for the hours, a fine outer minute track, sleek stylized hands, and is signed Musy Père et Fils Horlogers S.A.S. à Turin across the upper and lower fields.
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The timepiece is housed in a spectacular hinged round three body, 18 carat solid gold case. The front bezel is richly decorated with multicoloured gold relief motifs and set with turquoise stones, while the reverse back cover is sumptuously chased with multicoloured gold floral bouquets and intricately set with a vibrant arrangement of rubies and turquoise. The case has a secret hinged back panel that opens to reveal a beautifully hand painted polychrome enamel erotic scene concealed within the inner bowl.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 83.5 g
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Signed: Musy Père & Fils Horlogers de S.A.S. A Turin
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Founded in Turin in 1707 by Giacomo Musy, the distinguished firm of Musy is celebrated as one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious watch and jewellery manufacturers. Renowned from its inception for the exceptional quality and technical virtuosity of its creations, the family led company passed its specialized watchmaking knowledge across multiple generations. This enduring excellence earned Musy Père et Fils the coveted appointment as official watchmaker and jeweller to the House of Savoy, serving both the kings of Savoy and the crown princes of Italy. Their status as imperial court suppliers is proudly displayed on this timepiece via the signature designation Horlogers de S.A.S., a prestigious abbreviation for Son Altesse Sérénissime (His Serene Highness).
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The choice of Turin as the firm’s base aligns with the city’s rise as a strategic, political, and cultural epicentre. Having served as the capital of the Duchy of Savoy since 1563, Turin expanded its administrative and economic dominance into a royal dimension under Victor Amédée II, following the Treaty of Utrecht, which granted the title of King of Sardinia. By the early 19th century, Turin’s royal courts, palaces, and noble circles provided a booming luxury market for elite artisans like Musy. Their prestigious commissions mirrored the wealth, European cultural exchange, and artistic sophistication that positioned Turin as the first capital of a unified Italy in 1861.