Antique Piguet et Meylan repeater pocketwatch

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This is a signed P& M (Piguet et Meylan) 800 silver mechanical ladies pocket watch that I was told might possibly be a repeater. It has a little button on the top side that I was told when you press it made a noise to let you know the hour or half hour , quarter or minute. Historically, before electric lights, the only way to tell the time at night, was either to light a candle/lamp, which was bothersome, or to wait in anticipation for the clock's striking mechanism. The striking is usually activated by a slide at the case of the watch, or a plunger which is what this one has on its top side. This one has extremely ornate etchings on the edges as well as the flowers and leafs on the back. This has two back lids and open face on the front with a porcelain face that has seconds 14565 is the number on the inside case lid. The watch does not run as far as I can tell. This Swiss watch was made by such a genius (born in Le Brassus on 15 February 1772 and died in Geneva on 3 April 1845) who made some of the most beautiful in and unusual watches and tiny mechanicals. He made white mice which ran, paused, ran again and finished with a jump. He made pistol with a watch in the handgrip; when fired, a whistling bird emerged from the barrel. He was the first to build chiming watches using spring chimes rather than bells and he even invented an 'alarm ring'; this was a ring comprising a minute watch which would prick a steel pin into the finger at the appropriate time. In 1811, together with Isaac Piguet, he founded Piguet & Meylan in Geneva which was, one of the largest companies in the city. Before that, in le Brassus, he had worked with another Piguet, Charles-Auguste. . Practically the entire collection of his works were bought by an Australian; however, the boat carrying them sank and they now lie at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. In Geneva, Piguet & Meylan specialized in high class musical and novelty watches incorporating tiny automata, decorated in the style typical of Geneva; the two associates were masters of this and produced so-called 'Chinese' watches, that is, in the main, models in gold, enameled and set with pearls, destined for the Chinese market. The fact that the automaton companies were the leading horological importers of China showed that the Chinese continued to consider watches as mechanical toys. This one measures 1 1/3” wide and 2” tall including the hanging bale. I don’t know that much about watches except what I have researched lately. To me it looks like it just needs cleaning. This is a treasure in the rough. Vintage and antique items are not mint nor are they perfect. Sold as is and as found (used and vintage) Since this is Irreplaceable there can be no returns on this sale.. Please use photos to make your decisions. .

Item Details

Reference #:
bab7009
Quantity
1
Category
Jewelry
SubCategory
Department
Antiques (approx100yrs)
Year
1800's
Dimensions
(Width x Height X Depth)
x x
Weight
Unknown
Condition
GOOD as is
Material