VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

Another fine example of a camouflaged timepiece, though this time in the form of an automaton instead of a jewellery watch. As part of the Extraordinary Objects collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, the Fontaine aux Oiseaux automaton combines on-demand animation and a retrograde time display to offer a double spectacle. A feather moves progressively along the time scale on the side of the base, returning to its point of departure once it reaches 12 o’clock to repeat its journey. The automaton further impresses with both craftmanship and showmanship as it comes to life when activated (up to five times in a row). As if in a light breeze, the water in the basin begins to ripple. A dragonfly rises into the air and a waterlily slowly blooms. The birds at the age of the basin wake and begin their courtship display, their articulated legs rising one after the other as they move closer together. During this, their song rings out, enabled by an assembly that includes a bellows and a clicking box – which imitate chirping and beak sounds, respectively.