Swiss repeating verge with five automaton actions Circa 1795

Gold and enamel quarter repeating automaton attributed to François Achard
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A very fine and rare Swiss 18 carat gold and enamel open faced quarter repeating verge pocket watch with five automaton actions, polychrome enamel automaton Jacquemarts, two automaton water fountains and a dipping swan, circa 1795. Gilt brass full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three armed balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with faceted endstone, silvered regulation dial, repeating on a bell mounted in the back of the case activated by depressing the pendant, the automata driven from the repeating train. Small, white enamel dial with Breguet numerals, outer minute track and Arabic quarter-hour numerals, original blued steel Breguet hands, the painted on enamel gold dial plate decorated with a garden landscape with two applied polychrome painted on enamel cherubs above the dial appearing to strike the hours and quarters on two bells, multi-colored gold classical pool with an automaton dipping swan, to each side of the pool an applied multi-colored gold urn with a glass rod automaton fountain issuing from each. Polished bezel, faceted and engraved band with sound frets, the back engraved with a basket of flowers and a butterfly.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: No name
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This watch is likely to date just before 1800 and is very similar to the watches made by François Achard. The polychrome painted cherub Jacquemarts are very rare, as are the two water fountains, very few pocket watches are known with this feature. The dipping swan is also particularly charming and desirable.
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François Achard son of François, he was a master watchmaker. Originally from the Dauphiné region of France, he settled in Geneva and was made ‘habitant’ in 1773. He was associated with his brother George until 1796 and is recorded as having made gold and enamel watches with automata, as well as watches with quarter repetition on bells.