Swiss

• gilt full plate movement with cylinder escapement, balance bridge pierced and engraved with scrolls, quarter repeating on gongs by means of a piston which locks into the pendant, the movement fitted with an automated magician which responds to a series of six questions engraved on miniature tablets, to which answers appear in a window above the figure, a seventh blank tablet is used when the automaton function is at rest, gold cuvette engraved with details of the escapement • silver dial finely engraved with foliate scrolls, eccentric mean time dial with Roman numerals, the dial fitted with the vari-color gold magician whose hand moves to indicate the answer that appears in the window above • yellow gold case, the back engraved with a river scene depicting a pair of villagers leaning on a wall by the bank of a river reviewing the catch of a fisherman below • the band fitted with levers flanking the pendant, the lever at 10 o'clock locks the question drawer and the other acts as the corrector slide • unsigned

Time Museum Inventory No. 2285

A unique and wonderfully whimsical object. As indicated, we do not know of another in watch format. The questions and answers are especially amusing and give one some insight into the period. The watch has been recently serviced to be in reasonably running order for the purposes of the exhibition. That said, it is recommended that it receive a complete overhaul in order to guarantee its consistent performance. Notes regarding the recent service are on file and available upon request. The case is well-etched but slightly rubbed. There are no gold marks, however it is certainly gold. When not in use, a card must always be slotted into the drawer. If the drawer is left empty and returned to the closed position, it will interfere with the cycle of movements the magician must make in order to complete his motion. Do not pull out the question drawer while train is running, as this may damage a small spring, making repairs necessary. Over its life, the watch has received many repairs. Please refer to the restorer's notes for further information. Please note that fragility of the piece cannot be emphasized enough and great care must be taken in familiarizing oneself with its complex functions, which while seemingly appear simple, are not.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by a fitted leather box with slots to hold each of the tablets.

The questions and their answers are as follows:
Q: Qui a plus de sens que de raison? (Who has more feeling than reason?)
A: Un viellard amoureux (An old man in love)

Q: Quel est le plus grand flatteur? (What is the greatest flatterer?)
A: L'amour propre (Love of self)

Q: Qui brise les liens du sang? (Who breaks the bonds of blood?)
A: L'Intéret (Selfishness)

Q: Quel est le fruit de labeur? (What is the fruit of labor?)
A: Le Repos (Rest)

Q: Où court l'homme egaré? (Where does the lost man run?)
A: Nulle part (Nowhere)

Q: Qui se thrahit pour se rester fidèle? (Who betrays himself in order to stay true to himself?)
A: La Mode (Fashion)

To operate the automaton function, one of the six tablets is placed in a tray, which is then inserted into a drawer fitted in the band of the case. The seventh blank tablet remains in the drawer when the automaton is at rest.

The mechanical principles upon which an automaton magician replies to the questions were established in the 18th century. Few examples survived, but the fascination was such that a few rare examples continued to be built in the 19th century. The operating principle of the movement is that each silver tablet has small holes at the end which, when inserted into the watch, are measured for depth by a feeler pin, which rotates the answer wheel by means of a cam to the correct position.

Given the fragility of the functions, the maker incorporated a separate failsafe, should the automaton stop functioning in mid-cycle. The corrector feature acts to reset the automaton work to bring it back to the beginning of its cycle should it stop.

For a magician clock also formerly in the Time Museum Collection, see Sotheby's, New York, December 2nd, 1999, Masterpieces from the Time Museum, lot 58. 

Chapuis and Droz in their 1958 book "Automata" write of the questions and answers, "...these answers were so vague that they would apply to everybody. As to the questions put to the Soothsayer.." they were "...absurd eternal questions which the public always asks about future joys and hopes." (see pp. 246-247.)

Other examples of objects with a variation of a magician automaton include a walnut-form object, as well as several gold boxes. To the best of our knowledge, the present example appears to be the only known watch with magician automaton ever to be offered at auction.