The Magic of the McCullough Musical Automaton

Discover two ultra-rare Swiss automata, made for the Chinese market in the 19th century. The magnificent McCullough automaton box is the last and greatest musical magician box to remain in private hands. Last offered at Sotheby’s in 1964, it has remained in an important private collection ever since. The musical automaton ‘necessaire’ with watch was formerly in the collection of John Asprey and is one of only two known examples of this size, the other being kept in the Hans Wilsdorf Collection at Rolex. These two extraordinary pieces will lead Sotheby's Autumn sale of Important Watches (13 October | Hong Kong), alongside pieces owned by Japanese streetwear designer Hiroshi Fujiwara and legendary musician Eric Clapton.