Swiss 18 carat gold verge watch with four automata Circa 1810

Pocket watch with verge escapement
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An extremely rare pocket watch with four automat ‘Punchinello’, possibly made in Geneva, Switzerland, circa 1810. The case of this watch was crafted from 18 carat gold and is punched ‘DPG’ and a number. The face features an automaton with two putti as Jacquemart figures and Punchinello, who appears ‘stage’ and also strikes a bell, an enamel ring with Arabic hour numerals and Breguet steel hands. The movement is fitted with a verge escapement and an hours and quarters repeater.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 139 g
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Signed: No name
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The item presented here is an unusual and particularly detailed version of the automaton stage. A comparable, but additionally enamelled example with the same ‘stage’, achieved a record price for a ‘Punchinello’ automaton of CHF 40.000  (in 2021).