Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Musical pocket watch

A French silver-cased musical pocket watch

Partially verified

This French silver-cased pocket watch features an independent musical mechanism playing a single air alongside two-hammer gong repeating. The white enamel dial is set with black Arabic numerals and gold hands, with a winding aperture positioned beneath 12 o'clock. The source reports that the musical cylinder, measuring 1 inch in length, is signed Chapuis & Barriel, feat a` Genéve beneath the pinning, playing against a sectional comb arranged in eleven groups of three teeth with two on the extreme treble. The silver case reverse features a relief scene bordered by Rococo scrolls.

Front view of the French silver-cased musical pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and gold hands
Front view of the French silver-cased musical pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and gold hands — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Musical pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Chapuis & Barriel
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
18
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Observable Casing

Visual inspection of the watch face reveals an open-face silver case fitted with a cylindrical pendant and a rounded D-shaped bow. The white enamel dial features black Arabic numerals for the hours alongside a perimeter minutes track. Central gold hands indicate the time, and an off-center winding aperture is positioned directly beneath the numeral 12.

The catalog records the piece at 3 3/8 inches (8.6 cm) high in its silver case. The source also notes that it is accompanied by a key.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and minutes track markers.”
  • “Gold hands centered on the dial with an off-center winding aperture directly below the numeral 12.”
  • “Polished silver open-face case with a cylindrical pendant and a rounded D-shaped bow.”
  • “in silver case, the white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and gold hands”
  • “with a key - 3.3/8in. (8.6cm) high”

Case Back Relief and Controls

According to the catalog description, the reverse of the case body features a relief scene depicting a mounted soldier with two allies engaging an enemy force, set against a background showing a fortress. This composition is bordered by joined Rococo 'C' scrolls.

Exterior controls reported by the source include a repeater push button situated at the hoop top to actuate two-hammer gongs, as well as an independent start/stop slide located on the side of the case for the musical movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “the reverse of the body with a scene in relief of a mounted soldier with two allies battling the enemy with a fortress beyond, border of joined Rococo 'C' scrolls”
  • “repeater push button to hoop top actuating two-hammer gongs, independent musical movement start/stop slide to case side”

Reported Movement and Musical Mechanism

Internal mechanical components are documented through the auction catalog. The movement includes a balance-wheel escapement mounted on a gilt metal bedplate, secured with blued spring barrel screws and further fitting screws. An internal movement cover features two winding holes and an engraved function inscription.

The musical mechanism incorporates a cylinder measuring 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length that plays a single air against a sectional comb consisting of 11 groups of three teeth, with two teeth on the extreme treble. This comb sits under a shaped comb shield with engraved foliate decoration. The cylinder is signed beneath the pinning: 'Chapuis & Barriel, feat a` Genéve'.

Evidence for this section
  • “the balance-wheel escapement on gilt metal bedplate, blued spring barrel screws and further fitting screws”
  • “the cylinder signed Chapuis & Barriel, feat a` Genéve beneath pinning, sectional comb of 11 groups of three teeth (extreme treble with two) under shaped comb shield with engraved foliate decoration, playing a single air, movement cover with the two winding holes and engraved function inscription”
  • “the cylinder length 1in. (2.5cm)”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks, casemaker stamps, or assay marks are struck on the interior or exterior of the silver case?
  • What exact wording is contained in the engraved function inscription on the movement cover?
  • Does historical horological literature record the partnership of Chapuis & Barriel in Geneva, and what were their active working dates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A French silver-cased musical pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Cylinder signatureChapuis & Barriel, feat a` Genéve“the cylinder signed Chapuis & Barriel, feat a` Genéve beneath pinning”
Musical comb specificationSectional comb of 11 groups of three teeth (extreme treble with two)“sectional comb of 11 groups of three teeth (extreme treble with two)”
Case materialSilver“in silver case”
Dial descriptionWhite enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and gold hands“the white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and gold hands”
Height3.3/8in. (8.6cm)“3.3/8in. (8.6cm) high”
Cylinder length1in. (2.5cm)“the cylinder length 1in. (2.5cm)”
Escapement bedplateGilt metal“the balance-wheel escapement on gilt metal bedplate”
Comb shield decorationEngraved foliate decoration“under shaped comb shield with engraved foliate decoration”
Repeating actuationTwo-hammer gongs actuated by push button in hoop top“repeater push button to hoop top actuating two-hammer gongs”
Musical air countSingle air“playing a single air”
Included accessoryKey“with a key”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and minutes track markers.
  • Gold hands centered on the dial with an off-center winding aperture directly below the numeral 12.
  • Polished silver open-face case with a cylindrical pendant and a rounded D-shaped bow.

Research qualifications

  • The relief battle scene on the case back and the movement mechanism are described by the auction house but not visible in the provided dial photograph.
  • Attribution to Chapuis & Barriel is based on an internal signature on the musical cylinder reported by the auctioneer.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : A French silver-cased musical pocket watch,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2a90421e0b

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.