Rare Swiss erotic quarter repeating automaton watch Circa 1800

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Kenmerk
AS1900
Diameter
57 mm
Estimate
€ 25.000 - 50.000
Price sold
€ 26.150

Unsigned gold, enamel, and pearl set pocket watch
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A rare Swiss gold, enamel, and pearl set quarter repeating automaton watch with a concealed erotic scene, made for the Chinese market, circa 1800. This watch features a gilded half plate movement with a cylinder escapement, a plunge repeat on two bells incorporated into the backplate, and an automaton movement. The white enamel dial has Roman numerals, an outer Arabic minute track, and blued steel hands.
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The gold case has both bezels set with pearls. The later back panel has an engine turned centre surrounded by a row of enamel roses, and the band is decorated with enamelled trophies with alternating green and red translucent enamel backgrounds. The back cover conceals a finely painted enamel landscape depicting a love garden with automaton figures in the foreground. The automaton features a seated lady raising and lowering a dove beside a fountain with a turning glass rod imitating flowing water, as well as a dog that moves its head and wags its tail while looking towards the theatre stage. There is also a sliding panel to the theatre’s stage with an enamel cupid opening to reveal an erotic automaton scene, operated via a lever on the case band.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: No name
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The clock movement runs for a short time. It strikes the hours but does not strike all the quarters correctly. There are small chips on the edge of the dial. The case has scratches throughout. There has been restoration to the enamel scene. The automaton figures of the fountain, seated lady, and dog operate when the mechanism is wound, but the erotic figures do not operate.

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