Swiss 18 carat gold cylinder watch with four automata Circa 1820

Exquisite large pocket watch with repeater
–
An exquisite, large pocket watch with repeater and figure automaton with four automata, ‘Punchinello and Father Time’, made by Georges-Édouard Piaget in La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland, cir ca 1820. The case of this watch was crafted from 18 carat gold and features a coined band. The face features four fantastic figure automata in a very rare combination of a normal Jacquemart striking the quarters which is carried out by two angel figures, Punchinello appearing in the upper window and striking against the scythe of ‘Father Time’, a white enamel outer ring with Arabic hour numerals and Breguet steel hands. The numbered movement is fitted with an early cylinder escapement and an hours and quarters repeater.
The cuvette and movement have matching numbers and are signed.
–
Diameter: 56,5 mm
–
Weight: 135 g
–
Signed: Piaget
–
This version of the automaton, featuring four figures and the depiction of ‘Punchinello and Father Time,’ is exceptionally rare, with only five other known examples. The one bearing the ‘Piaget’ signature is the only known example of its kind.
In the ‘normal version’ of this automaton, Punchinello strikes a bell and not Father Time’s scythe.
–
Piaget
The Piaget pocket watch with four automata and movement number 15390 presented here was manufactured circa 1820. It is commonly referred to as the “Punchinello and Father Time” pocket watch and it is a significant historical artefact for the following reasons:

• It was created over 50 years before Georges-Édouard Piaget founded his workshop in 1874. During this early 19^th century period, the Piaget family name was already associated with master horology, though the company as a modern brand was not yet establishe
• The watch features four distinct automata, including figures of “Father Time and Punchinello”, which animate to strike the time. Such high complication pieces were the pinnacle of Swiss craftsmanship at the time.