SWISS | A RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL GOLD AND ENAMEL QUARTER REPEATING MUSICAL AUTOMATA WATCH WITH ADDITIONAL CONCEALED EROTIC AUTOMATONCIRCA 1820

• Movement: gilded, full plate, cylinder escapement, plain balance, repeating on coiled gongs• Dial: polychrome enamel painted scene depicting a lake and waterfall within a wooded landscape, decoratively engraved subsidiary gold time dial with engraved decoration, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, the foreground with applied vari-colour gold chased and engraved panel of trees and plants and the figures of a young man and lady playing a lute and a harp, their arms moving and 'strumming' their instruments in time with the music, on depression of the pusher to the case band, a dove appears and moves to repeatedly touch its beak to the beak of the static dove at the left side of the scene whilst the music is playing, apertures for music and going trains, plunge pendant repeat• Case: pink gold, sunburst engine-turned case back, a blank cartouche to the base, milled band, a pusher beneath 5 o'clock for activating the music/automata, cuvette with polychrome enamel painted monastic scene with an amorous couple in the background, the foreground with an automaton of a monk and a nun in flagrante delicto behind whom a female figure observes a skull, slide above 10 o'clock to lock the case back

Movement: just running for short periods at time of cataloguing. The musical/automata train not working at time of cataloguing. Dial: the time dial is loose and slipping, will need re-afixing. Enamel scene restored both to dial and erotic scene. Case: with light marks and scuffs, it is possible that the case back originally had a tranlucent enamel finish above the engine-turned decoration.
"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."

For a similar watch with closely related scenes, see Antiquorum Hong Kong, 22 June 2013, lot 156. This exquisite watch with concealed erotic automaton scene is a rare example, displaying an additional three automata to the dial. Not only do the two musicians' arms move, but one also finds a pair of billing doves - one dove moves towards the other and repeatedly touches the latter's beak. The interior erotic scene within a monastic setting is of high quality. Within the background the young female figure looking upon a skull behind the amorous couple alludes to the brevity of youth and the inevitability of death.