Swiss gold quarter repeating automaton watch Circa 1890

Gold hunting cased with automaton jacks
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A rare Swiss 18 carat gold quarter repeating hunting cased keyless pocket watch made by Jean Moise Badollet & Cie in Switzerland, circa 1890. The case is entirely engraved with leaves, scrolls and geometric patterns, the front cover with central monogram. White enamel with painted radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, the center in a blue steel dial plate animated with two gilt knight jacks appearing to strike bells when the repeating is activated. A rhodium plated movement, 21 jewels, wolf’s tooth winding, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, palladium Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide in the band. Signature on the dial, case and movement.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Jean Moise Badollet & Cie.  Swiss
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Badollet & Cie. were horologists and makers of watch cases. The company was registered on November 1, 1880, under number 43. They received 1st prize at the Observatory contest for chronometry in 1872 with 267.9 points out of 350, in 1873 with 229 points out of 350, in 1874 with 264 points out of 350 and in 1874-1875 with 213 points out of 350. In 1874, Badollet tied with H.R. Ekegrén for those contestants presenting a minimum of three chronometers.