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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Musical automaton pocket watch

Piguet & Meylan Musical Automaton Rose Watch

Partially verified

This 18-karat gold musical automaton watch, known as "The Rose," was produced by Piguet & Meylan in Geneva, circa 1820, for the Chinese market. The back of the case displays a painted underside of the rose, while the front contains a white dial with Roman numerals. The dial background features a landscape scene including a temple and garden, serving as a stage for gold automata depicting a harpist and Cupid with a lyre. The watch functions as both a timepiece and a musical automaton, playing music either on the hour or upon request. The mechanism is controlled via a set-off bolt and a silent/music lever positioned on the bezel.

The front view showing the dial and automata, and the back view showing the enamel rose design.
The front view showing the dial and automata, and the back view showing the enamel rose design. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Musical automaton pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Piguet & Meylan
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
176
Source-reported date
circa 1820
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
3564

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

Case and External Construction

The watch case is constructed from 18-karat gold, modeled in the shape of a pink rose. The reverse of the case features an enamel painting of the underside of the flower, showing pink petals and green leaves. The pendant of the watch is formed by a stem set with pearls, which terminates in five graduated, pearl-set petals at the center of the rose.

The bezel of the watch is also decorated with painted rose petals. The outer edge of the case incorporates a geometrical pattern executed in dark blue enamel, complemented by further half-pearl settings. The design is a specific construction aimed at the Chinese market as reported by the auction records.

Evidence for this section
  • “Two-body, the back very finely painted with the underside of the rose, showing sumptuous pink petals and two green leaves”
  • “the pearl-set stem, which forms the pendant, terminates with five graduated pearl-set petals at the centre of the rose”
  • “The bezel painted with rose petals, the edge decorated with a geometrical pattern in dark blue enamel and set with half pearls”

Dial and Automaton Mechanism

The dial consists of a white background featuring an eccentric Roman numeral chapter ring at the top. The surrounding dial space is painted with a landscape depiction, including a garden with roses and forget-me-nots, a sea, and a cliff-side Temple of Love. The time is indicated by blued-steel Breguet hands.

In the foreground, varicoloured gold automaton figures are set against the scene. These include a lady playing a harp, accompanied by Cupid on a lyre and a nesting dove. The movement incorporates a two-train system with a fixed barrel to drive the music and automaton functions. The automata are driven by a revolving disc with 16 tuned teeth and a ratchet wheel cam with irregular teeth.

Evidence for this section
  • “The foreground with varicoloured gold automata of a lady playing the harp, while Cupid accompanies her on a lyre, a nesting dove behind him”
  • “a ratchet wheel cam with irregular teeth mounted on the disc driving the automata”

Movement and Technical Details

The watch is powered by a gilt brass bridge calibre movement measuring 35.4 mm. It utilizes a cylinder escapement with a gold three-arm balance and a blued-steel flat balance spring. Musical function is managed by a revolving disc with tuned teeth that play every hour or on request.

Operational controls for the musical functions include a set-off bolt located at 7 o'clock and a silent/music lever positioned under the bezel at 5 o'clock. The movement is marked with the maker's stamp and the serial number on the plate beneath the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “The music and automaton train driven by a fixed barrel, a revolving disc with 16 tuned teeth alternating on bot”
  • “Stamped with the maker's mark and the number on the plate under the dial”

Open research questions

  • What is the current location of the Gustave Loup Collection reference piece?
  • Are there additional surviving examples of Piguet & Meylan rose-form watches?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Piguet & Meylan Musical Automaton Rose Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPiguet & Meylan“Piguet & Meylan”
Serial Number3564“No. 3564”
Material18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set“18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set”
Diameter48 mm“Diam. 48 mm”
Automaton FeaturesVaricoloured gold figures of a lady playing the harp and Cupid with a lyre“foreground with varicoloured gold automata of a lady playing the harp, while Cupid accompanies her on a lyre”
PublicationSandberg book, La Montre Chinoise, Le Monde des Automates“Published in the Sandberg book, pages 460-461.”

Visible details

  • Case shaped as a pink rose with pearl-set stem pendant
  • Automata on dial featuring a harpist and Cupid
  • Eccentric Roman numeral hour chapter ring
  • Blued-steel Breguet-style hands

Research qualifications

  • Attribution to the Chinese market is provided by the auction description
  • Specific mechanical condition rating requires interpretation of the auction house grading system

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

Consulted source

The Rose.Piguet & Meylan, No. 3564, Geneva, circa 1820.Magnificent and extremely rare, 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set, centre-seconds, two-train, musical automaton watch, playing on the hour and on request, designed as a pink rose, made for the Chinese market.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 05ae008d4a

Terms in this record

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

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