German 18 carat gold watch with automaton Circa 1710

Pocket watch set with carnelian and garnet
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An extremely early, museum quality Adam & Eve automaton, probably made in Augsburg, Germany, circa 1700-1720. The repoussé case of this watch is crafted from 18 carat gold and features various animals in high relief,  carnelian and garnet, a glazed back, below the representation of Adam and Eve with snake automaton and in the background the apple tree and various animals. The enamel dial features an outer track with Arabic 5 minute numerals, Roman hour numerals and gold hands. The movement is fitted with a very early verge escapement.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Weight: 93 g
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Signed: No name
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The watch presented here comes from one of the most important European collections and is an absolute rarity. As far as is known today, only nine of these earliest known Adam & Eva automatons are known, only four of them with gold cases. Some of these watches bear London signatures, but they probably all come from southern Germany. With the exception of the watch shown here, all of these watches are now in famous collections and museums, including the Palace Museum in China.