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MMD > Archives > July 1998 > 1998.07.09 > 01Prev  Next


Tweeting Bird Automaton at Bucherer's, Lucerne
By Bill Finch

I recently saw a "tweeting bird automaton", similar to the one Brian
Chesters described, on the top floor of Bucherer's in Lucerne.  They
are a watch manufacturer and seller but also carry several lines of
newly made Swiss automata and music boxes.

They had a newly manufactured interchangeable cylinder music box
(for $9,000) with 5 bells, and drums with bumblebee drumsticks for
the drums.  I've seen this kind of box in antique collections but had
no idea that they were still being manufactured.  They had several
varieties of newly manufactured birds, one like you describe.  They
also had organ clocks that played music composed by Mozart (in 1778)
and Beethoven (in 1794) for the organ clock.

Bucherer is not an antique dealer.  I was quite surprised to see that
these kinds of devices are still being manufactured.  They also had a
line of the usual Reuge boxes.

If you find yourself in Switzerland, Bucherer's is worth a visit, but
be forewarned, you will likely leave the building with a new watch,
the place is so tempting.

Bill Finch


(Message sent Thu 9 Jul 1998, 03:25:20 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Automaton, Bird, Bucherer's, Lucerne, Tweeting

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