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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Geneva, Switzerland · 1811–1828

Piguet et Meylan

Partially verified

Maker of catalogued automaton quarter repeating openface pocket watch, musical automaton pocket watch, musical pocket watch

Life & work

The firm was established in Geneva in 1811 by Isaac Daniel Piguet and Philippe-Samuel Meylan.

Piguet was born in Le Chenit and Meylan came from Le Brassus. Their output included extraordinarily thin musical movements often utilizing a specific fan-tooth disc system. The partnership between the two masters concluded in 1828.

The fuller biography summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • Meylan is credited with the invention of a specific system for musical movements utilizing fan-shaped teeth.

Documented works

  • The firm produced a notable butterfly-form musical snuff box containing a watch for the Chinese market.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

Firms, key models & movements

Firms

In the object catalogue

6 catalogued objects are recorded under Piguet et Meylan. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • Front view of the Le Jardin de Cupidon pocket watch showing the four automaton figures and central enamel dial.
  • Front view showing the enamel-decorated case back and the dial with subsidiary seconds.
  • Front view of the Piguet & Meylan 'Barking Dog' automaton watch showing the eccentric dial and pearl-set bezel
  • Front and back views of an 18K pink gold and enamel musical automaton pocket watch attributed to Piguet & Meylan, ca. 1820.
  • Back view of the gold, translucent red enamel, and pearl-set repeating musical pocket watch attributed to Piguet & Meylan Geneve.
  • The front view showing the dial and automata, and the back view showing the enamel rose design.

Sources & references

  1. Piguet et Meylan | Science Museum Group Collection, Science Museum Group, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Miniature Gold Pocket Watch, by Piguet et Meylon | Science Museum Group Collection, Science Museum Group, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. The Meylan watchmakers | Lionel Meylan, lionel-meylan.ch, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  4. Piguet & Meylan. A fine and rare 18K gold, enamel, pearl and diamond-set butterfly-form musical snuff box with automaton and watch, made for the Chinese Market,, Christie's, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  5. L’Âge d’or (JSH 1954) – 2ème partie – Horlogerie Suisse, horlogerie-suisse.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  6. The Butterfly Piguet et Meylan, Geneva, No. 3459, circa 1820, made for the Chinese Market. Exceptionally fine and very rare 18K gold and enamel, diamond, eme, Antiquorum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

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