Details
Image(s)
TitleMusical Pocket Watch with Quarter Repeater and Fan-Type Comb Movement
Creator A. Lopin (watchmaker)
PlaceParis (France)
Year ca. 1815
Object number1060
Object nametimepiece with playing comb, pocket watch
DescriptionThis gold pocket watch is elegant in its outward simplicity, with a white enamel dial, crisp Arabic numerals and a musical movement with a single melody.
The streamlined appearance of the watch conceals the technical innovations required to accommodate all the necessary mechanical work inside this compact object. The musical program is notated "sur plateau," on a plate, which is a particularly suitable system for use in watches because it takes up less vertical space. The comb teeth are not joined together in one piece, but each screwed on separately.
Accompanying textsThis musical watch has a comb with 22 teeth and plays a tune titled "Tyrolienne" - a name for a type or genre of folk song from the historic Alpine region of Tyrol. This type of song was very popular at the beginning of the 19th century. Many composers even wrote their own versions based on this style, although we currently do not know the exact origin of the specific melody on this watch.
As indicated by an engraving in the watch, the maker Lopin was an apprentice of the famous watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet (from Neuchâtel) at the prestigious Palais Royal in Paris.
As indicated by an engraving in the watch, the maker Lopin was an apprentice of the famous watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet (from Neuchâtel) at the prestigious Palais Royal in Paris.
Dimensions
geheel height: 7.6 cm
geheel diameter: 6 cm
geheel depth: 6 cm
geheel diameter: 6 cm
geheel depth: 6 cm