Swiss 18K gold half-skeletonized quarter repeater Circa 1815

Gold verge with erotic automaton Jacquemarts
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A very fine and rare Swiss 18K gold half-skeletonized quarter repeating pocket watch, circa 1815. With Jacquemarts in Turkish-style costumes and a small concealed erotic automaton scene. An Empire case, engine-turned with a reeded band and polished bezels, locking bolt for the repeating at 2 and for disclosing the erotic scene at 8. Gilt metal cuvette hinged to the movement ring. Small annular dial, white enamel chapter ring with Breguet numerals, outer minute track and blued steel Breguet hands.
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Martin-Martine-type painted and varicoloured chased gold Jacquemarts of a lady and gentleman dressed in Turkish costumes on each side of the dial over the polished steel repeating work set on the gilt-brass front plate engraved with scrolls of foliage, appearing to strike the hours and quarters on two bells, a blued steel plate below the dial with an applied painted and varicoloured gold altar of love, discloses the small automaton erotic scene of a couple on a bed, driven by the repeating train. Gilt-brass full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt-brass continental cock, repeating on two gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Cuvette signed.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Breguet & Fils Swiss
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The present watch is particularly unusual for two reasons. Firstly the combination of both painted decoration and varicoloured gold for all the automaton figures and details. Furthermore, the Jacquemarts are dressed in exotic European fashion, Turkish-Esque costumes, representing a whole European interpretation of Eastern people. This mirrors the Orientalist trends brought back to Europe by rich and adventurous tourists starting in the early 18th century, which enjoyed a revival during the first quarter of the 19th century.