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Lot Essay
The present watch is an extremely fine example of an early minute repeating wristwatch, the tonneau-shaped case a typical design of the 1920s. Of highest quality and in excellent overall condition, its timeless yet understated elegance is enhanced by the white gold case and the most popular Breguet numerals.
Henry Capt
Henry-Daniel or Henry Capt was one of the leading manufacturers of musical automata at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. He specialized in the production of complicated watches, musical and automaton timepieces. Around 1789 Capt settled in Geneva and worked for several renowned companies such as Jaquet-Droz, Godet, Leschot and his brother-in-law Isaac Daniel Piguet.
When Piguet left to enter a partnership with Philippe-Samuel Meylan in 1811, Henry Capt continued to work first on his own, later with his son Charles Henry, until around 1830, when he joined forces with Aubert and son, Place Bel-Air in Geneva.
The business was later continued by Charles Henry's son Henry, producing high quality watches until 1893 when he sold the firm to Louis Gallopin in Geneva, specialized in the manufacture of high quality watches and jewellery.
Based on the signature on the watch and period of its manufacture, it can be assumed that Henry Capt continued producing small quantity of complicated, high quality watches under his name, possibly by special order only.
For a lady's minute repeating wristwatch signed Henry Capt, No. 40871, also circa 1920, see Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mühe, Brunner, fifth edition, p. 413, pl. 1403-1405.
Henry Capt
Henry-Daniel or Henry Capt was one of the leading manufacturers of musical automata at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. He specialized in the production of complicated watches, musical and automaton timepieces. Around 1789 Capt settled in Geneva and worked for several renowned companies such as Jaquet-Droz, Godet, Leschot and his brother-in-law Isaac Daniel Piguet.
When Piguet left to enter a partnership with Philippe-Samuel Meylan in 1811, Henry Capt continued to work first on his own, later with his son Charles Henry, until around 1830, when he joined forces with Aubert and son, Place Bel-Air in Geneva.
The business was later continued by Charles Henry's son Henry, producing high quality watches until 1893 when he sold the firm to Louis Gallopin in Geneva, specialized in the manufacture of high quality watches and jewellery.
Based on the signature on the watch and period of its manufacture, it can be assumed that Henry Capt continued producing small quantity of complicated, high quality watches under his name, possibly by special order only.
For a lady's minute repeating wristwatch signed Henry Capt, No. 40871, also circa 1920, see Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mühe, Brunner, fifth edition, p. 413, pl. 1403-1405.