Swiss 18 carat gold and enamel perfume flask with watch Circa 1810

Perfume bottle with watch attributed to Piguet & Capt
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A Swiss 18 carat gold polychrome enamelled fancy watch in the form of a perfume bottle made for the Chinese market, circa 1810. Gilt movement with key winding, a cylinder escapement, balance spring, solid plate in the center and the seconds driven by an additional wheel meshed on the pinion of the escapement wheel.

Two dials in white enamel, one in the lower part for the indication of the hours and minutes with Breguet style numerals, the winding square below, in the upper part a small counter for the indication of the seconds with graduations every 15 minutes in Arabic numerals and a railway minute track, the whole concealed by a cover, activated on the edge using a push button.

An 18 carat gold case in the form of an oblong bottle with flat sides and bevelled corners, the whole in enamelled gold with a double face, when a small pusher on the side is pressed a hinged and spring loaded panel opens to reveal the two dials for the hours, minutes and seconds, in the upper part a screw on cap in enamelled gold equipped with a small spatula for the application of perfume.

The front face with two finely decorated panels, the upper part with a painted on enamel basket of fruit, the lower part with a stylized motif, in its center a blank gold medallion plate, the perimeter with foliate engraving and covered with translucent red and blue enamel. The back shows a painted on enamel vase of flowers and is further decorated to match the front, the border is in alternating azure blue and white enamels according to a geometric pattern, the sides are decorated in a classic way with translucent red enamel.
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Height: 87 mm
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Width: 29 mm
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Weight. 29 gr.
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Signed: No name
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Piguet & Capt. The collaboration between Isaac Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) and Henri Capt (1773-1837) from 1802 to 1811, became legendary for the creation of exceptional timepieces in the early 19th century. Among their most notable achievements were perfume bottles that incorporated miniature watches, thus combining the art of watchmaking with that of perfumery.

Characteristics of perfume bottles with integrated watches:
Design and materials: These bottles were often made of 18 carat gold and decorated with polychrome enamel, pearls or precious stones, reflecting the refined taste of the time. Their elegant aesthetic made them luxury items prized by the elite.

Functionality: In addition to containing perfume, these bottles incorporated a miniature watch, usually hidden or subtly incorporated into the design. This dual functionality demonstrated the ingenuity and expertise of Piguet & Capt’s craftsmen.

Musical mechanisms and automatons: Some models were equipped with musical mechanisms or automatons, adding a playful and artistic dimension to the object. For example, a musical perfume bottle attributed to Piguet & Capt, dating from around 1805, is described as an exceptional piece combining music and watchmaking.

Exceptional market and clientele on the Chinese market.
These timepiece perfume bottles were mainly intended for the European and Chinese markets, particularly the court of the Chinese Emperors who loved these delicate objects, where demand for innovative luxury items was strong. Their complexity and beauty made them prestigious gifts and status symbols.