Swiss gold musical watch for the Chinese market Circa 1820

Gold, enamel, and pearl set quarter repeater attributed to Piguet & Meylan
–
An exquisite half pearl studded gold enamel quarter repeating Swiss gentleman’s pocket watch with musical movement, for the Chinese market, circa 1820.
The case back is decorated with radial engine turned pattern and translucent red enamelling. The band, pendant and bow of this musical watch have been enamelled with polychrome Champlevé ornamentation and are set with half pearls on both sides.
An 18 Carat rose gold case with on/off lever for the musical movement S/M. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, and original blued steel lozenge hands. Bridge movement, key wind, two hammers, two gongs, cylinder escapement, three arm ring balance, and a musical movement with pinned disc and tuned vibrating blades.
–
Diameter: 56 mm
–
Weight: 144 g
–
Signed: No name
–
J.D. Piguet et S. Meylan à Genève
Piguet was an expert craftsman who produced his watches in partnership with Henry Capt and Philippe Samuel Meylan, and later also with his sons. Philippe Samuel Meylan came to Geneva at the age of 20 to work for Louis Audemars & Cie. He opened his workshop near Le Brassus in 1811, but returned to Geneva later. He met Piguet and formed a partnership with him; they worked in Geneva under the name “Piguet & Meylan” from 1811 to 1828. The company was well-known for the production of early China watches and became famous for its pocket watches with special functions; they created automatons with man and animal shapes and intricate musical mechanisms as well as skeleton watches.