Swiss gold repeater with seven automaton jacks Circa 1810

Gold open faced verge repeater
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A very rare Swiss 18 carat gold quarter repeating pocket watch, circa 1810. With multicoloured gold striking Jacks and an automaton scene of a knife grinder’s workshop with a total of seven automaton actions. An Empire, engine turned case, bolt at 11 to lock the repeating. Gilt brass spring loaded cuvette fitted to the movement ring. Annular white enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions and Blued steel Breguet hands.
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The centre with applied multicoloured gold cherubs appearing to strike bells during repeating, gold brick arch below and within an automaton scene depicting a knife grinder sharpening a knife on a grinding wheel while a boy drives the wheel via a large pulley, blued steel background. Frosted gilt, full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fusée and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three arm balance with flat balance spring, pierced and engraved continental balance clock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via repeating train.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Esquivillon / Deschoudens (Es. et Dech)  Genève
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A similar watch, signed Esquiv – ilon et Dechoudens, from the F. Conty Collection, Geneva, is described and illustrated in A. Chapuis and E. Gelis , Le Monde des Automates, volume 2, page 35, fig. 297. Esquivillon & Dechoudens were Master watchmakers of the 18th century. Gédéon François Esquivillon became associated with his brother Joseph and Jaques Dechoudens in 1774. They are known to have signed: Es. et Dech.