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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Musical snuff box clock

Jean George Remond & Co. Gold and Enamel Musical Snuff Box with Clock

Partially verified

This gold and enamel musical snuff box with an integrated clock was produced by Jean George Remond & Co. in Geneva, dated to 1811. Designed in the form of an elliptical cylinder, the case features fine guilloché patterning accented by leaf and drop elements, framed by deep blue enamel bands and circumferential floral friezes. A hinged lid on the right side opens to reveal a round dial with Arabic numerals, blued steel hands, and a vitesse indicator. The internal timepiece features a fixed barrel with cylinder escapement, alongside a pin-barrel musical movement incorporating fifteen stacked steel reeds numbered 321.

Jean George Remond & Co. gold and enamel musical snuff box with clock, Geneva, 1811.
Jean George Remond & Co. gold and enamel musical snuff box with clock, Geneva, 1811. — Schmidt Kunstauktionen Dresden OHG / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Musical snuff box clock
Maker / attribution
Jean George Remond & Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1101
Source-reported date
1811
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
321

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

Construction and Materiality

The object is an elliptical cylinder crafted from 750 gold and enamel. The exterior surface features fine guilloché engraving rhythmically accented by leaf and drop elements. Decorative borders include circumferential floral friezes set between volutes, framed by deep blue enamel bands.

The case features a hinged lid on the right side which provides access to the timepiece. An aperture for the winding mechanism is located on the left side, operated via a pin-and-catch system. The item is accompanied by its original wine-red leather case, which contains velvet and silk fabric linings.

Evidence for this section
  • “750 gold and enamel. Body in the shape of an elliptical cylinder, finely chiselled with guilloché”
  • “The left side with a winding aperture, opened by a pin and catch mechanism.”

Timepiece and Musical Movement

The internal timepiece comprises a hand-wound movement with a fixed barrel and cylinder escapement. The dial, viewed behind the right-hand hinged lid, is engine-turned with Arabic hours on a guilloché ground, featuring blued steel hands and a top-mounted vitesse indicator.

The integrated musical movement consists of a pin barrel interacting with fifteen individual, stacked steel reeds. The mechanism is triggered by a pin release located on the underside of the gold case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hand-wound movement, fixed barrel, cylinder escapement, unmarked.”
  • “Musical movement with pin barrel and 15 individual, stacked steel reeds.”

Maker Attribution and Dating

The piece is attributed to Jean George Remond & Co. of Geneva, with a date noted as 1811. Internal verification relies on stamps found on the interior bottom, lid, and lid frame, specifically 'IGRC' within a lozenge and 'P3G' within an oval.

The movement plate displays an embossed serial number, '321'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stamped "IGRC'' in a lozenge and "P3G'' in an oval (movement calibre) to the inside bottom, lid and lid frame.”
  • “the plate with the embossed serial no. "321''.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical significance of the 'P3G' movement calibre mark?
  • How do the observed scratches on the watch cover align with the reported 'minimal' usage?
  • Does the 'B' monogram on the winding key represent a known provenance or original owner?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jean George Remond & Co. Gold and Enamel Musical Snuff Box with Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material750 gold and enamel“750 gold and enamel.”
Maker marksStamped IGRC in a lozenge and P3G in an oval“Stamped "IGRC'' in a lozenge and "P3G'' in an oval (movement calibre) to the inside bottom, lid and lid frame.”
Movement serial321“the plate with the embossed serial no. "321''.”
EscapementCylinder escapement“fixed barrel, cylinder escapement, unmarked.”
Musical mechanismPin barrel with 15 stacked steel reeds“Musical movement with pin barrel and 15 individual, stacked steel reeds.”
Dimensions and weight8.3 x 4.7 x 1.9 cm; 108 g“L. 8,3 cm, B. 4,7 cm, H. 1,9 cm, Etui L. 10,2 cm, B. 5,9 cm, H. 2,6 cm. 108 g.”
Dimensions8.3 x 4.7 x 1.9 cm“L. 8,3 cm, B. 4,7 cm, H. 1,9 cm”
Weight108 g“108 g.”
Winding KeyShield-shaped, monogrammed 'B' on front, cornucopia on back“With a probably original winding key, brass and steel, shield-shaped, monogrammed "B'' in relief on the front, with a cornucopia in relief on the back.”

Visible details

  • Elliptical gold cylinder case covered with textured guilloché engraving.
  • Borders flanked by circumferential floral decorative friezes and dark enamel borders.
  • Small aperture visible on the end cap for the winding mechanism.

Research qualifications

  • The clock dial and inner musical movement are enclosed and not visible in the provided closed exterior view.
  • Maker attribution relies on internal hallmarks (IGRC stamp) and auction catalogue scholarship.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Jean George Remond & Co Genf, Rare gold musical snuff box with clock. Jean George Remond & Co., Geneva. 1811.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 73968426aa

Terms in this record

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