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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Erotic automaton pocket watch

Silver Hunting Cased Erotic Automaton Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This early 20th-century Swiss-made pocket watch features a full hunter case crafted from silver. The exterior of the case is decorated with high-relief engravings; the front cover depicts a female bust, while the reverse is adorned with floral patterns and inscribed with the mark 'H Frsl Depose'. The white enamel dial is outfitted with Arabic numerals, blue steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the six o'clock position. Internally, the watch is equipped with a Swiss lever movement. A specialized feature is the hidden erotic automaton mechanism, accessible by opening the rear cover and the inner silver cuvette. This mechanical scene, depicting a nun and a clergyman, is activated via a silver sliding lever located on the edge of the case.

The interior of the pocket watch showing the concealed erotic automaton scene revealed behind the silver cuvette.
The interior of the pocket watch showing the concealed erotic automaton scene revealed behind the silver cuvette. — Zamanito/Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Erotic automaton pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Early 20th century
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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 Exterior Details

The watch is housed in a silver full hunter case featuring detailed high-relief engravings on both the front and back covers.

The reverse cover features ornate floral and botanical relief patterns. The case is inscribed with the marking 'H Frsl Depose', providing a point of identification for the casing. The overall construction follows the hunter-style format, protecting the dial behind a hinged front cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “هر دو درب آن دارای تزیینات برجسته با جزئیات بالا (High Relief) هستند”
  • “درب جلویی با نقش برجسته نیم‌تنه یک زن آراسته شده”
  • “درب پشتی نیز منقوش به طرح‌های گیاهی و گل‌ها بوده و عبارت «H Frsl Depose» بر روی آن ثبت شده است”

Dial and Timekeeping

The dial is finished in white enamel, chosen for its high contrast and readability. It utilizes Arabic numerals for the hour markers and includes a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the six o'clock mark.

The time is indicated by blue steel hands, which contrast against the white surface of the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه مینای سفید رنگ (White Enamel) قرار دارد که خوانایی بسیار بالایی ارائه می‌دهد”
  • “این صفحه دارای نشانگرهای عددی عربی، عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌رنگ و یک عقربه ثانیه‌شمار فرعی مجزا در موقعیت ساعت ۶ است”

Automaton Mechanism

Concealed within the rear of the watch, beneath the silver cuvette, lies an erotic automaton scene. The animation depicts a religious figures motif, specifically a nun in a state of worship alongside a clergyman.

The movement is activated by a slide lever located on the edge of the case. When engaged, the mechanism triggers the movement within the concealed chamber, revealing the animated display.

Evidence for this section
  • “سازوکار اتوماتون اروتیک پنهان‌شده در بخش پشتی قاب است”
  • “صحنه نمایی از یک راهبه در حالت عبادت و همراهی یک فرد روحانی را نشان می‌دهد”
  • “با فعال کردن زبانه کشویی (Slide) نقره‌ای واقع در لبه قاب ساعت، به حرکت درمی‌آید”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer associated with the mark 'H Frsl Depose'?
  • Can the erotic automaton scene be linked to a specific Swiss production workshop active in the early 20th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Silver Hunting Cased Erotic Automaton Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement TypeSwiss lever“مکانیزم اهرمی سوئیسی (Swiss lever)”
Case MaterialSilver“قاب شکارچی کامل (Full Hunter) از جنس نقره”
Case InscriptionH Frsl Depose“عبارت «H Frsl Depose» بر روی آن ثبت شده است”
Dial TypeWhite enamel“صفحه مینای سفید رنگ (White Enamel)”
Automaton MechanismSlide-activated erotic scene“سازوکار اتوماتون اروتیک پنهان‌شده در بخش پشتی قاب است که زیر درپوش داخلی محافظت می‌شود”
Country of OriginSwitzerland“یک نمونه با مکانیزم اهرمی سوئیسی (Swiss lever) است”

Visible details

  • Full hunter silver case with high-relief floral and female portrait motifs
  • Hidden automaton scene revealed behind a hinged cuvette
  • Dial features Arabic numerals and blue steel hands with a seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock
  • Slide-actuated mechanism positioned on the side of the case

Research qualifications

  • Functional status of the automaton movement and the slide activator is not verified
  • Presence of hairline cracks on the white enamel dial is not explicitly confirmed
  • Authenticity of the silver hallmarks has not been independently examined

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

Consulted source

Silver Hunting Cased Erotic Automaton

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 4a5e4ed8c3

Terms in this record

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