Swiss 18K gold repeating Jacquemart automaton Circa 1810

Gold and diamond set museum quality piece 
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An octagonal quarter repeating pendant watch with Jacquemart figure automaton in the original sales box, probably made by Pierre Simon Gounouilhou in Geneva, Switzerland, circa 1810. The case of this watch, which was crafted from 18 carat gold, is set with oriental pearls, the top has an eyelet on the back for attaching to a chain, and beneath the slide on the back are the winding and time setting mechanisms. The small white enamel dial in the lower half of the face features Arabic hour and quarter hour numerals, an outer dot minute track and one gold hand, in the upper half, there is a visible diamond set balance. The highly complicated movement is fitted with a virgule escapement and repeats the quarter hours and hours on a bell.
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Dimensions: 50 x 30 mm
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Signed: No name
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The maker of this extremely rare watch is very likely to be Pierre Simon Gounouilhou of Geneva, one of the most important makers of automatons in Geneva around 1800. A matching example is illustrated and described in ‘Montres de Fantaisie 1790-1850’, Galerie d’Horlogerie Ancienne in Geneva, 1979.  
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Gounouilhou
In 1799, Pierre Simon Gounouilhou (1779-1847) settled in Geneva at 241 Quai Neuf en l’Isle. He was a well respected, very imaginative maker of automatons and musical objects, as well as watches, ring watches with virgule escapements, quarter hour repeaters and watches with cases that used unusual decorative techniques such as granulation.

Gounouilhou left very interesting business notes full of information about the customs and practices of Geneva watchmakers in the early 19^th century. His reputation was so great that his business attracted some of Geneva’s best workers. His work is celebrated for its blend of artistic vision and technical prowess. The company name continued to be used until around 1870.