Piguet & Meylan and Frédéric Rochat

The Case
3½-inch white enamel dial, Roman numerals, formed as a flattened campana-shaped vase with gilt rose wreath bezel, the lower body chased with acanthus over flutes, below a rose frieze, the handles formed as classical female heads topped by scrolled acanthus enclosing stars, fluted foot above a plain bronze plinth and later mahogany oval base housing the music



Automata and Singing Bird
the flat top of the vase centered by an oval pool mounted with a fluted column-form fountain, with three revolving glass rods simulating water, issuing from lion masks, topped by a multi-colored feathered singing bird, the bird with moving body, wings and tail and turning head, the front fitted with another automaton in the form of a see-saw on which a polychrome youth and girl balance whilst flying a paper kite, the whole flanked by potted flowering plants, going and striking wound through the dial, the automatons and singing bird wound and released on the top right hand side of the vase by levers, trip wind music released wound through the base, signed Frederic Rochat and stamped FR within an oval



The Movement
circular movement signed Piguet et Meylan, Genève, with going barrel, anchor escapement, short pendulum with silk suspension, countwheel mounted to the back plate, striking on a bell, the singing bird and automaton movement with fusee and chain, stacked cams and levers, the musical movement playing three tunes, with going barrel and fly regulator, 23.5 cm pinned cylinder with comb of thirty-two groups of four teeth and one of five teeth the music attributed to Nicole Frères, both base and music work associated later

Alan S. Marx Collection, New York

Bailly, Flights of Fancy, p. 235
Roberts, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, p. 211, fig. 18-3

The associated purpose built later base has been restored. it bears abrasions to the surface, and there are signs of damage around the bottom left and right extremities of the oval. The music, as indicated, is not original to the piece, but is of the period. The later glass dome is associated. One ormolu mount is replaced. Despite the restoration of the piece, it has been sympathetically restored. The bird is re-feathered. The tin figures are original, but repainted. The kite and accompanying kite string are recreations; the flowers and foliage restored. In working order.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The sequence of functions are as follows: the music plays three minutes prior to the hour, which in turn sets off the singing bird and automata culiminating in the hour strike,  all also released at will.

Only a handful of vases containing singing birds are known. These include a large example formerly in the Time Museum Collection, Rockford, Illinois and now in the collection of the Patek Philippe Museum. The piece, by Pierre Frederic Ingold, Paris and the singing bird work by Rochat is illustrated in Chapuis and Gelis, Le Monde Des Automates, Vol. 1, fig. 404. A second Vase with Singing bird work by Rochat  and music attributed to Nicole Freres is also in the collection of the Patek Philippe Museum. A third piece attributed to Rochat is in the Schweizerishes Landesmuseum. The latter two are illustrated in Bailly, Flights of Fancy, pp. 212 and 214. The present lot is also illustrated in Bailly, op.cit., p. 234

The firm of Frères Rochat began as David Rochat & Son in Le Brassus (1718-1806) and became famous for its complicated movements and a variety of complex novelties that included singing birds in mirrors, snuff boxes, needle cases and pistols. For a discussion of their work see Eugene Jaquet & Alfred Chapuis, The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch, pp. 154-156. The firm was listed as 'Geneva makers 1810-1835' and for 'singing birds 1830-1835.' Chapuis notes that Rochat and his son worked for the firm of Jaquet Droz and Leschot and reprints a letter from Droz and Leschot which reads '6th December, 1804, to Messrs. Rochat et Fils, Le Brassus. In reply to your esteemed letter of 22nd November, there is no need for you to come here specially but only when you happen to be coming to Geneva. We want you to make a bird which will serve as a model for the cartels you manufacture, so that you can tell how long this will take you.'  For more information on Rochat, including Frédéric Rochat, see Bailly, pp. 211-251.

The firm Piguet & Meylan was formed by Isaac-Daniel Piguet and Philippe Samuel Meylan in 1811. Piguet was born at Le Chenet in 1775. He settled in Geneva and became Burgher in 1812, one year after he had gone into partnership with Philippe Samuel Meylan to undertake the 'manufacture of watches, jewellery and mechanisms of all kinds.' Piguet specialized in complex watches with carillons and clock watches. Meylan was born in le Brassus in 1772 and is credited with adapting 'tongues of sonorous metal for the combs of musical movement suitable for watches and other small objects. He is responsible for the famous magician automaton boxes and barking dog automaton watches.'