Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 10, 2013

LOT 312

THE KNIFE GRINDER, WATCH WITH SEVEN AUTOMATON ACTIONS Attributed to Esquivillon et Deschoudens à Genève. Made circa 1810. Very fine and very rare, quarter-repeating, 18K gold pocket watch with multicolored gold striking Jacks and an automaton scene of a knife-grinder's workshop with a total of seven automaton actions.

CHF 17,000 - 27,000

HKD 140,000 - 220,000 / USD 18,000 - 29,000

Sold: CHF 27,500

Three-body, "Empire", master mark PBT for Pierre Benjamin Tavernier, reeded bezels and band, the back engine-turned with concentric circles, bolt at 11 to lock the repeating. Gilt brass spring-loaded cuvette fitted to the movement ring. Annular white enamel with Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, center with applied multicolored gold cherubs appearing to strike bells during repeating, gold brick arch below and within an automaton scene depicting a knife-grinder sharpening a knife on a grinding wheel while a boy drives the wheel via a large pulley, blued steel background. Blued steel Breguet hands. 43 mm., 19''', frosted gilt, full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusée and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, pierced and engraved continental balance clock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via repeating train.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-71-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

HANDS Original

Notes

DIAM. 55 mm. This watch is of rather better quality than most of this type. The heavy-gauge case is made by Pierre Benjamin Tavernier who also made cases for Breguet. The multicolored gold automaton scene is very finely chased. A similar watch, signed Esquivillon et Dechoudens, from the F. Conty Collection, Geneva, is described and illustrated in A. Chapuis and E. Gelis , "Le Monde des Automates", volume 2, page 35, fi g. 297. Esquivillon & Dechoudens Master watchmakers of the 18th century. Gédéon- François Esquivillon became associated with his brother Joseph and Jaques Dechoudens in 1774. They are known to have signed "Es. et Dech".