Swiss double automata quarter repeating watch Circa 1800

Unsigned gold and enamel repeating automaton watch
–
A rare and large Swiss gold and enamel two train double dialled and double automata quarter repeating watch with jacquemarts, visible balance and automata scene circa 1800. The watch features a full plate movement with a two train, cylinder escapement, plain cylindrical pillars and a repeating bell mounted through the front dial. The pink gold case features a front bezel with pierced sides and decorative engravings of flowers and foliage.
–
It has two dials: the front dial has a blue enamel ground, a small white subsidiary dial for time, two vari colour gold jacquemarts with automaton arms holding a polished steel hammer striking a bell mounted beneath a polychrome enamel painted plaque depicting a pair of newlyweds in a landscape and an inset white date dial. The back dial showcases a polychrome enamel painted village scene with a windmill in the background, applied vari colour gold decoration to the foreground, and automata consisting of turning paste set sails of the windmill and wheel of a watermill, while a fisherman raises and lowers his rod and a donkey drinks from a moving stream of water formed from a glass rod. Additionally, there is an aperture for visible balance against a polished steel disc and an inset blued steel dial for regulation.
–
Diameter: 66 mm
–
Signed: No name
–
The movement is currently inactive and not repeating. There are a couple of faint hairline cracks behind the figure of the fisherman in the automata scene, as well as signs of heat repair to the figure itself. Minor small hairline cracks are present on the blue enamel of the front dial at 10 o’clock, and there is some minor chipping at the very edge above 12 o’clock. Overall, the dials appear to be in good condition. The case has splitting and repairs to the case band around the pierced decoration on the left side of the front bezel, along with small marks and scratches.
–
Jacquemarts figures mounted on watches typically mimic the striking of a bell. Unusually, the vari colour gold figures of a gentleman and a lady on the front dial of this watch hold polished steel hammers that strike and sound a bell mounted beneath the polychrome enamel painted plaque. The painted plaque itself depicts a newlywed couple, and the striking Jacquemarts appear to celebrate the scene. It is rare to find watches of this type incorporating a double automaton. In this instance, the back of the watch features a separate automaton scene depicting a fisherman raising and lowering his rod while the wheel of a watermill and the sails of a windmill turn. To the right of the scene, a donkey appears to drink from a moving stream.