The first music box was made by Swiss watchmaker, Antoine Favre in 1796, and acted as a rudimentary record player of sorts, allowing owners to enjoy and entertain with music in their homes. Music boxes continue to evolve under the guidance of their native country. Even as other regions began to design their own music boxes, the Swiss still enjoyed the credit for this miraculous invention. Even today, many an antique music box is referred to simply as a Swiss music box.
Depending on the time period in which the antique music box was made, you will surely enjoy a variety of period music. In this way, the antique music box acts as a time capsule of sorts, capturing the specific nuances - both in design and melody - of that very particular time in history.
While it can be a valuable and treasured item, the antique music box does not come without its challenges - mainly in the area of repair. Repairing an antique music box - because of its intricate and long outdated parts - can be difficult. It's important to find a reputable and skilled professional to repair or service your antique music box. You may look to those stores that sell contemporary music boxes; many times the owners and operators of these stores are music box enthusiasts and have knowledge of the complexities of the antique music box.
Keeping your antique music box in proper working condition will allow you to enjoy it for a lifetime and even pass it down to future generations who can then have the opportunity to hold history in their hand.