French 18k gold open faced verge with automaton Circa 1820

Gold quarter repeating pocket watch
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A very fine, very rare figure automaton with 4 motion sequences, so called “Punchinello”, signed Berthoud a Paris, circa 1820. An 18K gold, signed dome, very fine verge movement, repeating the hours and quarters, very beautiful movement, exceptional hand-engraved barrel bridge, full plate movement, also signed Berthoud, face with signed enamelled dial ring, very rare figure automaton with representation of a cathedral, in the lower part 2 putti figures, striking 2 bells during the repeating, in the upper part a window with midnight blue background where “Punchinello” appears and strikes on a 3rd bell, movement intact, automaton partly needs adjusting, in beautiful condition, popular and extremely rare automaton watch.

This automaton is one of the most famous Geneva automatons and was made around 1820 by different manufacturers. It is known in the collector’s scene under the name “Punchinello and Father Time”. This watch has also long been known as a particularly beautiful example of this automaton, the last one auctioned in Geneva in 2013 and sold for 15,000 Swiss Franc.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 121 g
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Signed: Berthoud  Paris