27,500 CHF
THE KNIFE GRINDER, WATCH WITH SEVEN AUTOMATON ACTIONS Attributed to Esquivillon et Deschoudens à Genève. Made circa 1810. Very fine and very rare, quarter-repeating, 18K gold pocket watch with multicolored gold striking Jacks and an automaton scene of a knife-grinder's workshop with a total of seven automaton actions. Three-body, "Empire", master mark PBT for Pierre Benjamin Tavernier, reeded bezels and band, the back engine-turned with concentric circles, bolt at 11 to lock the repeating. Gilt brass spring-loaded cuvette fitted to the movement ring. Annular white enamel with Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, center with applied multicolored gold cherubs appearing to strike bells during repeating, gold brick arch below and within an automaton scene depicting a knife-grinder sharpening a knife on a grinding wheel while a boy drives the wheel via a large pulley, blued steel background. Blued steel Breguet hands. 43 mm., 19''', frosted gilt, full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusée and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, pierced and engraved continental balance clock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via repeating train. Notes DIAM. 55 mm. This watch is of rather better quality than most of this type. The heavy-gauge case is made by Pierre Benjamin Tavernier who also made cases for Breguet. The multicolored gold automaton
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2013-11-10
