Swiss silver quarter repeating verge oignon watch Circa 1720

Pocket watch with enamel painting and automaton
–
An unusual oignon with repeater, enamel painting and an automaton, made by Andreas Enderlin in Bâle, Switzerland, circa 1720. The open faced case of this watch is crafted from silver and is magnificently pierced with representations of birds, squirrels, mythical creatures, two village views, a portrait of an angel and has a bell. The white enamel dial has an outer ring of Arabic 5 minute numerals, Roman hour numerals and beautiful iron hands.
The movement has an early verge escapement with Egyptian pillars, a pierced bridge, an automaton that creates an optical effect when the balance moves, is decorated with an enamel plaque with magnifying painting of depicting a portrait of a distinguished lady against a black background, probably painted by Mussard or Huaud and a quarter repeater.
The movement is signed.
–
Diameter: 56,5 mm
–
Weight: 177 g
–
Signed: A. Enderlin à Bâle
–
Another special feature is the negative winding square and the probably original key that belongs to it. Oignons with repeaters, enamel painting and so called automata, which create optical effects by transmitting the balance oscillation, are generally very rare.

In the case of this piece, the watchmaker also belonged to an important Basel watchmaking family that already produced pocket watches around 1650. The signature A. Enderlin points to William Andreas Enderlin (1681-1731). At least one other, almost matching, watch by Enderlin is known.
–
Enderlin
Andreas Enderlin was born in 1681 and died in 1733. He came from an important family of watchmakers in Basel, Switzerland, manufacturing large and small clocks. Descendants worked primarily in Strasbourg. Some watches from the Enderlin family are in the historical museum in Basel.