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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Complication · Striking & chiming

Musical Box Complication

Partially verified

A watch that plays a melody using a pinned cylinder and a tuned-tooth comb.

Definition

A watch that plays a melody using a pinned cylinder and a tuned-tooth comb.

Historical origin

The ultimate striking complication, miniaturized from tabletop music boxes.

How it works

A tiny pinned cylinder or disc rotates against a steel comb with tuned teeth (lamellae).

The sequence of pins determines the melody.

Pocket watch context

Found in highly decorative Swiss pocket watches for the Chinese and Ottoman markets.

Wristwatch context

Produced in the modern era by brands like Boegli and Breguet (La Musicale).

Identification

  • Music plays on demand or at the hour
  • A visible pinned cylinder in the movement

Servicing notes

The comb teeth are brittle; never attempt to 'tune' them without specialist tools.

General guidance only. Complicated mechanisms should be assessed and serviced by a qualified watchmaker or clockmaker specialist, not adjusted at home.

Diagram

count wheel or rackdetenthammer and gongwarning piece
Schematic: striking and sounding work. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. de Carle, D., Watch and Clock Encyclopedia
  2. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  3. Horological Journal (British Horological Institute), technical articles

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.