PROBABLY BY PIGUET & MEYLAN | AN EXCEPTIONAL GOLD QUARTER REPEATING MUSICAL WATCH WITH POLYCHROME ENAMEL PAINTED DIALCIRCA 1810

• Movement: gilded, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm balance, standing barrels for going and music trains• Dial: polychrome enamel painted dial depicting a lady beneath a musical score strumming a lyre beside a lake, gilded engine-turned dial to the centre with Roman numerals, outer minute ring, blued steel moon hands• Case: gold, the back with radiating engine-turned stylised shell-form centre, small oval blank cartouche, surrounded by three concentric rings one engraved with floral swags, further with engine-turning and outer with roundels within wave-form borders, the band chased and engraved with flowers and foliage, case maker's mark I.E. within a diamond-shaped cartouche, gilt-metal cuvette with separate apertures for winding, going and musical trains and for hand-set, cuvette signed Js. Ruegger à Genève

Dial: With some very light hairline cracks visible towards the centre of the musical score, repair to the enamel at the lower right hand corner. Case: Back with some rubbing and loss of definition to the outermost engraved border but otherwise decorative scheme remains clear. Movement: Running and repeating. Music not currently playing.
"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."

While musical watches during this period are not inherently unusual, what makes this piece stand out is the fact that a miniaturized version of a music score has been enamelled on the dial. making this in many ways the non plus ultra of musical watches.