Extremely rare Swiss quarter repeating automaton Circa 1820

Jacquemarts automaton attributed to Esquivillon et Deschoudens
–
A very fine and extremely rare Swiss 18 carat rose gold open faced quarter repeating pocket watch with multi-coloured gold striking Jacquemarts and automaton scene of a forge with a total of five automaton actions, circa 1820. Frosted gilt full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fusée and chain, verge escapement, plain brass balance with flat balance spring, pierced continental cock with polished steel endplate, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant, the automaton driven via repeating train. Gilt metal spring loaded cuvette. Annular white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions, centre with applied gold seated cherubs on a gold bridge with flower vase between, striking bells during repeating, the lower section with the automaton scene depicting a blacksmith’s forge, the blacksmith hammering the anvil, his assistant working the bellows for the fire with moving flame, brushed blued steel background and blued steel Breguet hands. Case engine turned, polished borders, bolt at 10 for locking the repeat.
–
Diameter: 55 mm
–
Signed: No name
–
It is very rare to find an automaton watch with as many as five separate actions. A very few are known with four, six and eight actions, placing this watch amongst those with the highest number of automaton actions. The moving flame for the fire is particularly charming.
–
Esquivillon & Dechoudens master watchmakers of the 18th century. Gédéon-François Esquivillon was associated with his brother Joseph and Jaques Dechoudens in 1774. They are known to have signed ‘Es. et Dech’.