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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Musical repeating pocket watch

Piguet & Meylan attributed gold, enamel, and pearl musical repeating pocket watch

Partially verified

This 18K gold pocket watch, measuring approximately 56.5 mm in diameter, is attributed to Geneva makers Piguet & Meylan and dates to circa 1815. Produced for the Chinese market, the piece features a cylinder escapement, hour and quarter repeating mechanism, and an on-demand musical movement. Its case is decorated with translucent red enamel over an engine-turned pattern and bordered on both sides with split pearls. The bow and pendant feature polychrome champlevé enamel accents with pearl settings. The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals, Arabic minute numerals at fifteen-minute intervals, and blued steel hands including a centre seconds hand.

Back view of the gold, translucent red enamel, and pearl-set repeating musical pocket watch attributed to Piguet & Meylan Geneve.
Back view of the gold, translucent red enamel, and pearl-set repeating musical pocket watch attributed to Piguet & Meylan Geneve. — Cortrie Spezial Auktionen / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Musical repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Piguet & Meylan Geneve (attributed)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4265
Source-reported date
circa 1815
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
4147

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

Object Identification and Attribution

This pocket watch is attributed to the Genevan firm Piguet & Meylan, which was active from 1811 to 1828. The attribution is based on the watch's serial number 4147, its design, and the quality of construction, as the piece does not bear a visible maker's signature.

The item is described as an 18K gold musical repeating watch dating to approximately 1815 and produced for the Chinese market.

Evidence for this section
  • “attributed to Piguet & Meylan Geneve”
  • “The design, quality and serial number speak for the important Geneva maker Piguet & Meylan.”
  • “The watch was made around 1815 for the Chinese market.”
  • “serial number 4147”

Case and Decoration

The watch case features a translucent red enamel finish applied over an engine-turned pattern. The case is bordered on both sides with a ring of half pearls described as Oriental pearls.

The pendant and bow are decorated with polychrome champlevé enamel on a light blue background, incorporating red engine-turned enamel cartouches that match the back lid.

Evidence for this section
  • “back attractively engine-turned and translucent red enamel”
  • “both sides set with half Oriental pearls”
  • “pendant and the bow of this musical watch were enamelled polychrome in champlevé style, light blue background, small oval cartouches in red engine turned enamel matching the back lid”

Dial and Mechanism

The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals and is fitted with steel hands, including a central seconds hand.

The movement features a cylinder escapement and includes an hour and quarter repeating mechanism alongside a musical movement that functions on demand.

Evidence for this section
  • “Perfectly preserved enamel dial, beautiful steel hands, centre seconds.”
  • “cylinder escapement, repeating the hours and quarters, very fine musical movement sounding on demand.”

Open research questions

  • Are there specific, non-serial identifying marks present on the movement plate that were not captured in the auction documentation?
  • What specific technical documentation exists within the Piguet & Meylan archives to verify the serial number 4147?
  • Does the 'Chinese market' attribution reflect specific design conventions, such as movement features or specific enamel motifs, associated with Piguet & Meylan's export pieces?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Piguet & Meylan attributed gold, enamel, and pearl musical repeating pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material18K gold“18K gold, serial number 4147”
DiameterCa. Ø56.5 mm“Ca. Ø56.5mm, approx. 144g”
Movement functionsQuarter repeater and musical movement“repeating the hours and quarters, very fine musical movement sounding on demand.”
Market contextChinese market“The watch was made around 1815 for the Chinese market.”
EscapementCylinder escapement“cylinder escapement, repeating the hours and quarters”
DiameterApproximately 56.5 mm“Ca. Ø56.5mm”
WeightApproximately 144 grams“approx. 144g”
ProvenanceDr. Crott 93rd auction“Provenance: Dr. Crott 93rd auction, sold for 75,000€.”

Visible details

  • Translucent red guilloché enamel case back bordered by a complete ring of split pearls.
  • Engine-turned radiating wavy sunburst pattern visible beneath the red enamel layer.
  • Ornate champlevé enamelled bow set with seed pearls and decorated with light blue and dark blue details.

Research qualifications

  • Maker attribution to Piguet & Meylan is based on style, quality, and serial number rather than a visible signature.
  • The internal movement and movement plate are not pictured in the provided images.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Pocket watch: important gold/enamel watch with repeater & music, attributed to Piguet & Meylan Geneve 4147

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 6b93bf4b99

Terms in this record

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

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