Swiss gold watch with enamelled automaton Circa 1800

A very fine and rare Swiss 18 carat gold automaton pocket watch, made by Robert & Courvoisier in La Chaux de Fonds, circa 1800. Polished, plain case with glazed back to see the automaton, fine enamelled automaton and a special virgule escapement. White enamel dial with Breguet numerals and a small sector for the regulation index. Automaton scene finely painted enamel landscape covering the back plate, with in the foreground an applied four colored gold chased scene with two automaton figures, a hammersmith and a carpenter working nearby an automaton fountain. Gilt brass, full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, going barrel, virgule escapement with a plain brass three-armed balance. The automaton train with a small fixed barrel, wound by means of the depressing pendant, is similar to that of a repeating train. Movement and Dial are numbered and signed.

–