Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 14, 2006

LOT 79

?Répétition à Quarts et Automate? Henchoz Frères, Swiss, ?Répétition à Quarts et Automate?, No. 27754. Made for the American market circa 1900. Fine and amusing, keyless, quarter-repeating, 18K yellow gold pocket watch with automaton and concealed erotic scene in an unusual case.

C. Four-body, solid, case back with applied silver and gold engraved portrait of a bearded man amongst leaf decoration, engine-turned case band, beneath the back cover a multicolored gilt erotic scene of a couple enjoying the comforts of the boudoir. D. Blue with multicolored gilt scene depicting a Roman couple striking a bell at the top, in center, off-white-enameled subsidiary dial for the hours, minutes and seconds with gold paillon Arabic numerals. Gilt ?feuille? hands. M. Cal. 20???, frosted gilt, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant. Case numbered, movement signed: ?The Scout - Registered - Swiss made?. Diam. 54 mm.