Bassereau

• skeletonized gilt brass full plate movement, pivoted detent escapement, plain four arm balance, openwork top plate engraved overall with leafage and scrolls, pinned barrel music work with a choice of three tunes playing on a nest of four bells with five hammers, the bells visible through a cut-out in the top plate, pendant activated music, gold cuvette centered by a pierced and engraved vase issuing champlevé enamel flowers, the cuvette further enameled in blue with directions for winding and setting • white enamel dial, Roman numerals, center seconds • the case back centered by a medallion painted in the foreground with a polychrome enamel vase of flowers against a polychrome enamel pastoral landscape framed by translucent purple enamel over a guilloché ground, the bezels and band pierced and engraved with geometric champlevé enamel motif • movement signed Hilaire Basseareau, Palais Royal • accompanied by copy of the book Stanley H. Burton, The Watch Collection of Stanley H. Burton, Warts and All

Chester Beatty, London
Stanley H. Burton, London

Stanley H. Burton, The Watch Collection of Stanley H. Burton 'Warts and All,' pp. 154-155; 354-355

A very finely made piece with all of the tell tale signs that it was made for the Chinese Market which include the enamel, the jump center seconds hand and of course the musical movement. The case is of very high quality and is an impressive size, the central enamel panel is finely painted, the condition of the enamel is good and only with overall surface scratches to enamel, the enamel decoration on band and bezels with minimal losses. The high quality dial is in good condition. The watch movement will tick but is currently fully wound. The music work is controlled via the plunger, when depressed, the plunger acts to wind the music and then play the music on demand. The tunes change automatically as they are preset to play the same sequence through each play. The going movement which also shows pitting to the steel work will require a complete revision. The same applies for the music work, where the hammers are striking but do not engage the bells, therefore no sound is produced. A rare and unusual watch and highly recommended despite its current mechanical issues.
"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."

Jean-Hilaire Bassereau, a Parisian watch maker, appears to be an obscure but superb maker who carried the warrants Horlogère l'Empereur et Roy and made watches for the Chinese and Turkish markets. The reference in the Sandberg catalogue notes that Bassereau was a versatile maker executing pieces of the highest quality such as the present lot to simple watches. 

The present lot epitomizes the elements that has become emblematic of Chinese Market watches, including a lavish musical mechanism, a floral enamel scene, and the iconic jump or center seconds hand.

For another example of a similar musical watch by Bassereau, see Antiquorum, The Sandberg Collection, 31 March and 1 April 2001, lot 270.