Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Grand Havana Room, New York, Sep 20, 2001

LOT 115

The Bawdy AngelUnsigned, Swiss, circa 1890.Fine and unusual, 14K gold, keyless, erotic minute repeating automaton watch.

C. four-body, "bassine et filets", polished, gold hinged cuvette over gold glazed bezel for viewing the movement. D. small, central, blue enamel with Roman numerals ands outer gold paillon minute divisions, with central gold paillon rosette, subsidiary seconds, surrounded by an animated painted on enamel scene with a young man under a tree in which an angel holding a bell is hiding. When activated by a repeating slide, the angel rises, while one of his fellows strikes the hours on his bell. To te left there is a ladder ending with the Eye of Providence held by another angel, with, at its summit, an angel holding a minute bell which is struck by yet another angel with a hammer. Gold "Louis XV" hands. M. 45 mm ø (20'''), nickeled, damascened in a twist-rope pattern, 18 jewels, lever-set, straight line counterpoised lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band.Diam. 58 mm.