Rare Swiss gold quarter repeating musical pocket watch Circa 1820

Gold cylinder watch by Perrin frères
–
A Swiss 18K gold and enamel quarter repeating musical pocket watch, circa 1820. With barillet type pinned cylinder musical movement. An engine turned back and reeded band and bezels, bolt for music activation in the band and hinged gilt metal cuvette. Gold dial with Arabic numerals on white enamel chapter plaques, outer white enamel minute ring, the centre finely painted enamel scene of a maiden playing the lyre with a musical trophy, gold and blued steel hands. Frosted and gilt half plate movement, cylinder escapement with plain three arm brass balance and flat balance spring, polished steel endplate, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Cylinder musical train playing on the hour or at will, with 29 tooth comb grouped in pairs and trios, and covered by an engraved and gilt plate secured by two screws. Cuvette signed.
–
Diameter: 59 mm
–
Signed: Perrin frères  Swiss
–
Restored soft enamel on the dial.
–
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 sure plateau type movement with a flat pinned rotating disc instead of 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.