Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Nov 12, 2006

LOT 177

?Four Automaton Chronos? Attributed to Esquivillon et Deschoudens à Genève, No. 7243. Made circa 1810. Very fine and rare, 18K gold quarter-repeating watch with striking automaton Jacks. To be sold without reserve

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

EUR 6,500 - 7,500 / USD 8,000 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 15,340

C. Three-body, "Empire", engine-turned bezel, band and border. Gilt metal hinged sprung cuvette. D. White enamel, annular, with Dauphine numerals and outer minute divisions. Blued steel "Breguet" hands. Center with applied varicolored gold cherubs striking bells during repeating, the upper part with automaton scene appearing during repeating, with a Jack striking the hours and the figure of Chronos with a scythe. M. 44 mm, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, continental type cock, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via the repeating train. Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-15

Good

Slightly rusted
Movement: 4**

Fair

Repair required, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-43-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

An almost identical watch signed by Esquivillon & Dechoudens was sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, November 14, 2004, Lot 136. Esquivillon & Dechoudens Master watchmakers of the 18th century. Gédéon-François Esquivillon was associated with his brother Joseph and Jaques Dechoudens in 1774. They are known to have signed "Es. et Dech. "Dictionnaire des horlogers genevois" by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, 1998.