French quarter repeating verge with 5 automata Circa 1815

Open faced repeating automaton by Blanc Fils
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A fine, unusual French open faced key wind quarter repeating pocket watch with five automata, The Knife Grinder, circa 1815. Gilt full plate verge movement pierced and engraved balance bridge, silver regulation with blued steel hand. Dial with central automaton scene depicting a workman grinding a knife whilst a young figure attends to the grinding wheel set within an arch; two putti sit above striking on two bells, black Arabic numerals to white enamel surround, outer minute divisions and black hands. Polished round hinged case, reeded band, repeat and automaton activated via the stem. Cuvette signed, and the case stamped PG and numbered.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Sigend: Blanc Fils Palais Royal
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The current piece, coined ‘The Knife Grinder’ or ‘Le Rémouleur’, combines two striking Jacquemarts and an animated scene with four automatons. To the left, a knife grinder sharpens his knife on his grindstone by moving his arms up and down and behind him, his apprentice driving his larger grinder wheel by hand, thus turning the grindstone. All functions are activated simultaneously by the plunge repeat. Automaton pocket watches were particularly popular during the first half of the 19th Century and were exported worldwide.