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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Musical automaton pocket watch

Reuge The Gondoliers Musical Automaton Watch

Partially verified

This musical and automaton keyless pocket watch, produced by Reuge of Sainte-Croix in the 1980s, is a complex timepiece featuring an alarm and an integrated musical movement. Housed in a 57 mm gold-plated, three-body bassine case, it features a reeded band and a hinged back cover decorated with an engraved musical trophy on a sunray background. The center-seconds timepiece is powered by a matte gilt, 17-jewel movement equipped with a straight-line lever escapement and an index regulator. A solid cuvette provides access to the music winding and activation mechanisms, and the alarm is set via a button positioned at 11 o'clock.

Front view of the Reuge musical automaton pocket watch showing the Venetian lagoon scene and the winding/activating key.
Front view of the Reuge musical automaton pocket watch showing the Venetian lagoon scene and the winding/activating key. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Musical automaton pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Reuge
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
36
Source-reported date
1980s
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
6157

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 Dial Design

The watch is presented in a three-body gold-plated bassine case, measuring 57 mm in diameter. The design includes a polished bezel and a reeded band, while the hinged back cover features a decorative engraving of a musical trophy set against a sunray background. An alarm-setting button is integrated into the case at the 11 o'clock position.

The dial is a miniature painted landscape of the Venetian lagoon, featuring a sub-dial for timekeeping with Arabic numerals and gilt Breguet hands. The lower portion of the dial is adorned with applied gilt metal automaton figures showing a musician playing a guitar, a lady under an umbrella, and a gondolier. The mechanism creates movement in the musician's arm and the gondolier's rowing action, complemented by a moving boat in the background.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-body, bassine, polished bezel, reeded band, hinged back cover engraved with a musical trophy on a sunray background, alarm setting button at 11 o?clock.”
  • “Small white with painted Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions, painted view of the Venetian lagoon with applied gilt metal automaton”

Movement and Mechanical Features

The timepiece is driven by a matte gilt movement containing 17 jewels. It utilizes a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance, a flat balance spring, and an index regulator for precision adjustments. A shock absorber is included within the movement structure to protect the balance staff.

Access to the musical functions is controlled through a solid cuvette, which contains an aperture for winding the musical mechanism and a button for its activation. The movement is unsigned, though the dial and cuvette carry the maker's signature, indicating the integration of the complex automaton and musical train within the casing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Matte gilt, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring, shock absorber, index regulator.”
  • “Solid cuvette with aperture for winding the music and button for activating the music.”

Condition and Attribution

The auction description reports the object is in overall good condition, with the case graded as very good and the movement as good. The hands are stated to be original to the piece.

Attributed to the 1980s by the manufacturer, the piece belongs to the musical and automaton category produced by the Reuge workshop in Sainte-Croix.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: A Good Case: 2 Very good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”
  • “Dial and cuvette signed.”

Open research questions

  • What specific musical repertoire is pinned onto the cylinder of this movement?
  • Were there variations in the color of the painted Venetian scene produced for this series?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Reuge The Gondoliers Musical Automaton Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerReuge“Reuge a Sainte Croix”
Serial Number6157“No. 6157”
Date1980s“Made in the 1980s”
Case Diameter57 mm“Diam. 57 mm”
Jewels17“17 jewels”
FeaturesMusical, automaton, alarm, center-seconds“Fine, musical and automaton, gold-plated, center-seconds, keyless pocket watch with alarm.”
Movement TypeMatte gilt“Matte gilt, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement”

Visible details

  • Painted dial scene of the Venetian lagoon
  • Applied gilt metal automaton figures
  • Reeded case band detail
  • Alarm setting button at 11 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Overhaul recommended by auction house
  • Functionality of the moving automata not explicitly verified in text

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

Consulted source

Reuge - The Gondoliers Musical Automaton Watch Reuge a Sainte Croix, No. 6157. Made in the 1980s. Fine, musical and automaton, gold-plated, center-seconds, keyless pocket watch with alarm. To be sold without reserve

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3667b12e0d

Terms in this record

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

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