27,500 CHF
Charles Reuge - The Violinist Musical Automaton Watch With Niello Portrait of Isma’il Pasha Charles Reuge, à Sainte Croix, No. 1293. Made for the Eastern Market, circa 1880. Very fine and extremely rare, large, two-train, musical, silver, gold and niello keyless pocket watch with center-seconds and automaton violinist, playing two tunes on a pinned cylinder at will, the case decorated with a portrait of Isma’il Pasha (1830-1895). Four body, "bassine et filets", polished, gold hinges, the back cover decorated with a niello portrait of Isma’il Pasha within a laurel wreath border. Hinged silver-rimmed glazed cuvette. White enamel, two-piece with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and outermost fifths of a second divisions, Arabic fivesecond numerals, the center painted with a seated violinist in an interior, one arm automated holding the violin bow and activated when the music plays. Gold spade hands. 48 mm., frosted and gilt double train with differential winding, 19 jewels, counterpoised lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, musical train with pinned cylinder and 35 steel toothed comb playing two tunes at will, gold music activation and tune selection buttons in the band. Movement engraved with the Reuge trademark of a lion rampant. Diam. 57 mm. Notes Charles Reuge Registered its name and the lion trademark in 1883, for the making of musical and watch movements. Only 50 of these watche
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2011-05-15
