Important Swiss gold and enamel verge automaton Circa 1800

Gold and enamel verge with carrousel by Louis Duchêne & Fils
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An important Swiss 18 carat gold and enamel automaton carrousel verge pocket watch, circa 1800. Full plate movement, verge escapement, key winding, chain and fusee. White enamel dial, polychrome painted decoration, eccentric hour chapter ring with Arabic numerals, a scale for the adjusting device at 12 o’clock. Glazed case back, blue champlevé enamel, polychrome enamel scene, fan-form opening in the top half showing a painted landscape set against the performing automaton with alternating appearances of a huntsman and a stag in the course of a minute.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 75 g
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Signed: Ls Duchêne & Fils à Genève
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The company Duchêne was founded by Louis Duchêne (1730-1804) in Geneva around 1750. From 1770 until 1790 they signed their products with Duchêne & Cie. In 1791 the company name changed to Louis Duchêne & Fils and traded under that name until 1820. The two sons of Louis Duchêne, Jacob Louis Duchêne (1751-1800) and Jacob Etienne Duchêne (1759-1840) were partners in the firm. Watches by Duchêne carry various signatures on the dials, cases and movements.