Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. 'In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. The box with a substantial weight, well made despite some to be expected areas of the enamel losses and restoration. To seal the compartment it seems that the bottom rim was taken out in order to remove the hinge pin, and as a result the top rim is now slightly bent. The central panel stringing with discreet losses and restoration. The back panel hinges but does not currently open indicating the possibility of a compartment which revealed an erotic scene within, likely the scene would have been sealed during Victorian era, however does give one pause to wonder if the revealing scene is still there.

Blue enamel borders in back of case with discreet enamel restoration. Minor losses to blue enamel at corners of each lid and stringing, discreet enamel restoration to black opaque enamel and to the side panel enamel. The lids of the exterior case well painted, particularly the central top panel. The unusual automaton scene is in good order. The vignette above the dial well painted and in good order, minor damage and restoration to surround. The enamel dial has two very small areas of damage to then enamel around the winding arbor and at 7 o'clock.

The box lid hinges retain their crispness and the box overall pleasing weight a testament to quality, Movement of automaton and music, and that of the watch in good working order. The contents remain clean and bright throughout, free from any previous owners' inscriptions or stamps.A lovely and rare box with unusual automaton and wonderfully painted central back and front panels. A fine copy, the binding square and firm with just very minor bumping to the tips of the spine. Preserved in a custom brown cloth clamshell box, lined with attractive geometric patterned paper and with titles in gilt to the spine. Illustrated with a frontispiece and 12 black and white full page plates by Dali. Publisher's original blue-grey cloth decorated in a stylised maze design with the centre square in red and titles in gilt, with dustwrapper designed by Dali. Signed by Salvador Dali in blue pencil on the front free endpaper: 'Salvador Dali, 1945'. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran and Co.

On the Verge by Maurice Sandoz