Extremely rare Swiss gold repeating musical watch Circa 1820

Gold quarter repeating cylinder watch
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An extremely rare and fine Swiss 18K gold open faced quarter repeating musical cylinder pocket watch, circa 1820. An Empire case, the back engine-turned, reeded band and bezels, a bolt for activating the music in the band. Hinged gilt metal cuvette. Gold dial, an engine-turned and engraved chapter ring with black Arabic hours in white enamel cartouches,an outer white enamel minute track, gold and blued steel hands, the centre with a polychrome enamel scene of a maiden playing the lyre and a musical trophy.
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A Barillet-type pinned musical cylinder movement, the musical train playing on the hour or at will, 29 tooth combs grouped in pairs and trios, covered by an engraved gilt plate secured by two screws. Frosted gilt ½ plate movement, cylinder escapement with plain three-arm brass balance and flat balance spring, polished steel end plate, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Cuvette signed.
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Diameter: 59 mm
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Signed: Perrin Freres Swiss
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Restored soft enamel.
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The movement of this watch is the rare Barillet-type with pinned cylinder, a miniature version of the type of movements found in full-size musical boxes. Most makers during the early 19th century used the sur-plateau type movement with a flat pinned rotating disc as opposed to a cylinder. The cylinder-type is more robust and gives a more resonant sound, but requires a thicker case to house it. This watch has an identical musical movement to that of the famous Tightrope Walker automaton, also by Perrin.