Swiss erotic automaton made for the American market Circa 1900

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Kenmerk
TA1336
Diameter
54 mm
Estimate
€ 4.500 - 6.500
Price sold
€ 2.600

Gold quarter repeating pocket watch
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A fine and amusing Swiss 18 carat yellow gold open faced quarter repeating keyless pocket watch with automaton and concealed erotic scene made by Henchoz Frères in Le Locle, circa 1900. Made for the American market. The back of the case with an applied silver and gold engraved portrait of a bearded man amongst leaf decoration, an engine turned band and underneath the cover a multicoloured gilt erotic scene of a couple enjoying the comforts of the boudoir.
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Blue dial with a multicoloured gilt scene depicting a Roman couple striking a bell at the top, in the center, an off-white enamelled subsidiary dial for the hours, minutes and seconds with gold paillon Arabic numerals and gilt leaf hands. A frosted gilt movement with 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance and blued steel Breguet balance spring, repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant. Case numbered, movement signed The Scout Registered Swiss made.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Signed: Henchoz Frères  Swiss
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Henchoz Frères was a Swiss watchmaking company founded in 1880/1881 in Le Locle by brothers Auguste and Fritz Henchoz. In literature, they were also referred to by their wives’ surnames: Fritz Henchoz-Huguenin and Auguste Henchoz-Arnold. The company specialized in multi register chronographs, minute repeaters, split second stopwatches and high precision tourbillons.
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In 1881, they won third prize at the National Watch Exhibition in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1884, a Class C chronometer won a second prize worth 80 Swiss francs, behind Ulysse Nardin and ahead of Dubois & Leroy, and they showcased grand complication pocket watches and grande sonnerie chronographs at the 1896 National Swiss Fair in Geneva. In 1914, they further won a gold medal at the Bern Watch Exhibition.
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In collaboration with masters like Albert Pellaton, movements were largely built from scratch rather than relying on external ebauches. They marketed select lines under brand names including Ascot and The Winner, while also supplying high end movements to retailers like S. Smith & Son. Timepieces manufactured by Henchoz Frères were also imported by A. Wittnauer in New York, U.S.A.
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In 1913, the brand name Suburban Watch was registered. 
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Run by the founders’ sons, Auguste-Alfred and Marcel-Emile, the headquarters, now known as Henchoz & Fils, were relocated to Geneva in the early 1920s.
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In 1973, Suburban was listed as a brand by both Henchoz & Fils and Wittnauer & Cie. 

Signed: Henchoz Frères Swiss

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