Conversation pieces catalogue

Conversation pieces catalogue

Window 1

	Dual face bracelet watch in yellow gold The automaton mechanism is loaded by winding the timepiece "backwards" and is set in motion using a push-button. Signed Andersen Geneva  On loan from Svend Andersen
	Dual face bracelet watch in grey goldThe automaton mechanism is loaded by winding the timepiece "backwards" and is set in motion using a push-button. Signed Andersen Geneva On loan from Svend Andersen
	Dual face steel bracelet watch The scene with the automaton is a reproduction of an antique watch as displayed here for you to discover Signed ICJMHL Collection
"Pin-up" strap watch Swatch On loan from a private collector
	Steel bracelet watch The second hand is made from a polarised transparent disc which shows the image printed on the dial when it reaches 15 and 45 seconds. Anonymous Switzerland circa 1970On loan from the Beyer Museum in Zurich
	Spherical desk clock in glass with pocket watch movement. Painted dial. Continuous animation is ensured by the backward and forward movement of the escapement. Movement - Billodes (later to become Zenith)On loan from the Beyer Museum in Zurich
	Spherical desk clock in glass with pocket watch movement. Painted dial. Continuous animation is ensured by the backward and forward movement of the escapement. AnonymousOn loan from the Beyer Museum in Zurich
	Gilded pocket watch Printed erotic scences, imitation painting on enamel. AnonymousOn loan from the Beyer Museum in Zurich

Window 2

	Large metal repeater pocket watch with automaton under the rear cover. The automaton is activated by the repeater mechanism.  Anonymous, circa 1900-1920On loan from MIH – Musée International d'Horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds
	Gold pocket watch with independent automaton. The automaton is wound by a rack when the cuvette is closed(second cover). It is animated when next opened.On loan from a private collector
	Metal pocket watch with manual automaton. The crown is turned in the reverse winding direction to make the automaton move.  MHL Collection

Window 3

	Gilded pocket watch with enamelled scene. The "hussar" military theme is recurrent in erotic watches. Signed Virel       MH Collection
	Beautiful large gold pocket watch. Bucolic and innocent painted scene, very beautiful crafted on the outside. Fine erotic picture hidden inside the cover.  On loan from the Beyer Museum in Zurich
	Louis XV small gold watch with painting on the outer back and two erotic scenes inside.   MHL Collection

Window 4

Magnificent snuffbox in gold, enamel and half pearls. The cover is decorated with a musical muse. A very anodyne second scene lies under the cover, with musical automata. On loan from the Swiss National Museum, Seewen

Window 5

	Bracelet watch in grey gold, dual face, with chronograph and repeater. The sapphire crystal back reveals an automaton triggered by the repeater. Signed Gérald Genta On loan from the company
	"Basculante" (pivot) strap watch in yellow gold with chronograph. By rocking the case we can glimpse the secret of the movement and a slightly naughtier secret.  Painted enamel scene inspired by an antique pocket watch.  Signed Daniel Roth On loan from the company
	Grey gold bracelet watch with minute repeater. The scene comes alive to the sounds of the repeater. Signed Gérald Genta On loan from the company

Window 6

	Large silver pocket watch with an erotic scene painted on the enamel dial.  "C'est inci qu'on Passe le Temps". On loan from the Deutsches Uhren Museum Furtwangen
	Watch back with Louis XV period enamel painting. The sleeper and the curious maidens. On loan from MIH
	Silver pocket watch with engraved back. "To the lovers of Physics 1784" On loan from the Deutsches Uhren Museum Furtwangen

WiNdow 7

Contemporary pendulum clock with automata. The striking mechanism is modified and continuously activates the sculptured figurines.   Loan from Mr Thierry Amstut

Window 8

	Silver pocket watch with a romantic and innocent painting on the back. A small secret opening mechanism reveals the saucy side to this timepiece.  MH Collection
	Small,very flat fob watch, in gold with a very finely painted enamel scene.  Signed Robert Brandt et Cie On loan from MIH

Window 9

	Magnificent enamelled gold watch with automaton. The animated figurines under the cover are also painted on enamel like the decor in the scene.  On loan from the Fondation M. et E. Sandoz
	Magnificent gold watch with half pearls, precious stones and enamel painting . The case and painted motif are very similar to the timepieces signed by Jaquet-Droz London. The interior and the automata are made entirely of gold.  On loan from the Fondation M. et E. Sandoz
	Magnificent gold watch with half pearls and enamel painting. The external scene shows Jupiter and Callisto but is also suggestive of a mother giving advice to her daughter whereas inside the watch this young girl is in "conversation with her confessor"!   On loan from MIH

WIndow 10

	Musical pocket watch, in gold. Inside, an engraved appears to hide the pinned barrel, a sort of steel comb which vibrates to produce music. The cover actually conceals a saucy animated by the musical mechanism.  Signed Jn Pre Désire of Geneva On loan from the Beyer Museum in Zurich
	Beautiful gold musical watch.  Under the cover, we see a scene which comes alive by triggering the music. In a very bourgeois interior, the automata move to the rhythm of the music. The alcove curtain can be raised using a small lever.  On loan from a private collector.
	Large polished gold pocket watch. Inside, the gold automaton figures are saucily activated in a richly enamelled setting.  On loan from the Swiss National Museum, Seewen

Window 11

	"Blois" enamel pocket watch, circa 1670. Scene depicting lovers wherein the man is carving initials in a tree. Watch signed Cabrier London Enamel signed Huot le Puisné fecit MH Collection
	Small pocket watch with enamel painting.  "Cupid kissing Psyche". Signed J.Ruegger Loan from MIH

Window 12

	Gold pocket watch with a tiny automaton hidden by a small lid incorporated into the cuvette. Animation is triggered by the repeater.       On loan from a private collector
	Pocket watch with automaton visible through an aperture in the dial. Animation is triggered by the repeater.  On loan from a private collector.
	Gold pocket watch with a tiny automaton hidden by a small lid incorporated into the cuvette. Animation is triggered by the repeater.  Signed Breguet (the name has most certainly been usurped)       MHL Collection

Photographs displayed : Giorgio Savini Le Locle