Important Watches, Collector's Wrist...

Hong Kong, Jun 08, 2001

LOT 484

The Spinning WheelUnsigned, Swiss, circa 1825.Very fine, 18K gold automaton watch with quarter-repeater and striking Jacks.

C. Four-body, ?Empire?, back cover, band and bezel engine-turned, bolt on the band at 11 o'clock to block the repeating, spring-loaded, gilt brass cuvette. D. White enamel ring with Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, the glazed center disclosing the automaton in which, in front of open curtains, an animated lady sits working at an animated spinning wheel, at the top two Cupids strike bells when repeating, all on a blued steel plate. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 50 mm, gilt brass full plae, fusee and chain, lever escapement probably converted from verge, plain three-arm balance, blued steel flat balance spring, continental balance, the automaton driven from the repeating train, repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant.Pendant stamped with French mark used between 1821 and 1838Diam. 56 mm.