28,083 HKD
Not signed, Swiss, circa 1900. Fine and rare 18 ct. pink gold, keyless watch with a concealed erotic automaton scene. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", polished. Hinged gold cuvette with a concealed automaton scene depicting a loving couple in a boudoir, "working for posterity". The automaton is driven by an independent train wound by the movement of the cover disclosing the scene. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring and sunk subsidiary seconds. GiIt brass "Louis XV" hands. 18-, gilt brass, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. In good condition. Diam. 50 mm. Notes Most erotic automaton scenes of this period, are set on repeating watches and driven by the repeating train. The less expensive are found in gun metal watches and activated by turning the winding crown anti clockwise; some are driven by an independent mechanism, wound by means of the winding crown. The watch now offered for sale is most unusual, being made of 18 ct. gold and the automaton is driven by an independent train, wound by means of a device based of the principle of the "Remontoire perpétuel à décrochement", patented by B. Haas Jne. & Cie. in 1873.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1994-06-17
