Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating musical pocket watch

Attributable to Piguet et Meylan 18K Pink Gold Quarter-Repeating Musical Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch, catalogued as attributable to Piguet et Meylan and dated circa 1815, features an 18k pink gold case measuring 58 mm across. The auction source describes a manual-wind gilded brass caliber measuring 22 lines with 4 jewels, a going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance, and blued steel flat hairspring. A quarter-repeater mechanism strikes on two steel gongs when the pendant is depressed. The watch also incorporates a 'sur plateau' musical movement with 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades acting on both sides of a pinned disc. Visually, the dial displays an enameled central medallion depicting musical instruments and sheet music, framed by an outer Roman numeral chapter ring and gold-tone hands.

Attributable to Piguet et Meylan 18K pink gold musical quarter-repeating pocket watch, circa 1815
Attributable to Piguet et Meylan 18K pink gold musical quarter-repeating pocket watch, circa 1815 — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating musical pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Attributable to Piguet et Meylan
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
279
Source-reported date
Circa 1815
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
384

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

Visual Dial Presentation

The open-face pocket watch features a decorative dial framed within a gold-toned chapter ring. The central section is occupied by a circular enamel medallion set against a dark blue ground, painted with an arrangement of flowers, sheet music, and musical instruments.

Surrounding this medallion, the gold-toned chapter ring displays blue Roman numerals and peripheral dot markers. The dial is fitted with pierced gold-toned hour and minute hands, and an engine-turned or textured rim detail borders the dial crystal bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Central circular enamel medallion painted with musical instruments, flowers, and sheet music against a dark blue ground.”
  • “Surrounding gold-toned chapter ring with blue Roman numerals and peripheral dot markers.”
  • “Pierced gold-toned hour and minute hands.”
  • “Engine-turned or textured rim detail surrounding the dial crystal bezel.”

Case and Complications

According to the auction catalogue, the watch is encased in 18k pink gold measuring 58 mm in diameter, with case number 384. The quarter-repeating mechanism strikes on two steel gongs and is activated by depressing the pendant.

The movement also includes a 'sur plateau' musical mechanism featuring 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades acting on both sides of a pinned disc. The music plays on the hour or at will, controlled by a music and silence lever located at the edge of the cuvette beneath the case-back.

Evidence for this section
  • “18K PINK GOLD”
  • “Diameter 58 mm.”
  • “Case No. 384”
  • “quarter-repeater on two steel gongs (activated by depressing the pendant)”
  • “"sur plateau" musical movement, with 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades acting on both sides of the pinned disc”
  • “(music / silence lever at the edge of the cuvette beneath the case-back)”

Movement Details and Attribution

The movement is catalogued as a 22-ligne gilded brass caliber with 4 jewels, a going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance, and blued steel flat hairspring.

The watch is dated circa 1815 and catalogued as 'Attributable to Piguet et Meylan, Switzerland'. The auction house notes provenance as the property of a Spanish collector. Internal plates, mechanical components, and case hallmarks are not depicted in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Caliber 22''', 4 jewels, gilded brass, with going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance and blued steel flat hairspring”
  • “Brand Attributable to Piguet et Meylan, Switzerland”
  • “Year Circa 1815”
  • “PROPERTY OF A SPANISH COLLECTOR”

Open research questions

  • What specific workshop punch marks, numbers, or hallmarks exist on the cuvette, inner case back, or movement plates to support the attribution to Piguet & Meylan?
  • What specific tune is encoded on the pinned disc of the 26-blade 'sur plateau' musical mechanism?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Attributable to Piguet et Meylan 18K Pink Gold Quarter-Repeating Musical Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material18K pink gold“18K PINK GOLD”
Case number384“Case No. 384”
Diameter58 mm“Diameter 58 mm.”
Caliber details22''', 4 jewels, gilded brass“Caliber 22''', 4 jewels, gilded brass, with going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance and blued steel flat hairspring”
Musical mechanism'sur plateau' with 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades“"sur plateau" musical movement, with 26 blued steel tuned vibrating blades acting on both sides of the pinned disc”
Repeating mechanismQuarter-repeater on two steel gongs“quarter-repeater on two steel gongs (activated by depressing the pendant)”
Control mechanismMusic/silence lever at the edge of the cuvette beneath the case-back“(music / silence lever at the edge of the cuvette beneath the case-back)”
ProvenanceProperty of a Spanish collector“PROPERTY OF A SPANISH COLLECTOR”
Movement grading3* Good, Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense“Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Visible details

  • Open-face pocket watch with pendant and bow positioned at 12 o'clock.
  • Central circular enamel medallion painted with musical instruments, flowers, and sheet music against a dark blue ground.
  • Surrounding gold-toned chapter ring with blue Roman numerals and peripheral dot markers.
  • Pierced gold-toned hour and minute hands.
  • Engine-turned or textured rim detail surrounding the dial crystal bezel.

Research qualifications

  • Attribution to Piguet et Meylan is source-reported and not signed on the visible dial.
  • Internal movement, repeat mechanism, and case hallmarks are not visible in the supplied single photograph.

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

Consulted source

ATTRIBUTABLE TO PIGUET ET MEYLAN, SWITZERLAND, POCKET WATCH WITH QUARTER REPEATER AND MUSIC PLAYING ON THE HOUR OR AT WILL, 18K PINK GOLD | | Geneva, May 11-12, 2024

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 308aebfd8c

Terms in this record

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