Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jun 27, 2009

LOT 208

The Swan Pool ? Watch with Five Automaton Actions Attributed to François Achard, Geneva. Made circa 1795. Very fine and rare, 18K gold and painted on enamel, quarter-repeating pocket watch with five automaton actions, polychrome enamel automaton jacks, two automaton water fountains and a dipping swan.

HKD 270,000 - 330,000

USD 40,000 - 47,000 / EUR 27,000 - 33,000

Sold: HKD 348,000

C. Two-body, "Directoire", polished bezel, faceted and engraved band with sound frets, the back engraved with a basket of flowers and a butterfly. D. Small, white enamel with Breguet numerals, outer minute track and Arabic quarter-hour numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. The painted on enamel gold dial plate decorated with a garden landscape with two applied polychrome painted on enamel cherubs above the dial appearing to strike the hours and quarters on two bells, multi-colored gold classical pool with an automaton dipping swan, to each side of the pool an applied multi-colored gold urn with a glass rod automaton fountain issuing from each. M. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balancespring, gilt brass continental cock with faceted endstone, silvered regulation dial, repeating on a bell mounted in the back of the case activated by depressing the pendant, the automata driven from the repeating train. Diam. 57 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-31-01

Good

Transformations

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is likely to date just before 1800 and is very similar to the watches made by Francois Achard. The polychrome painted cherub jacks are very rare, as are the two water fountains ? very few pocket watches are known with this feature. The dipping swan is also particularly charming and desirable.
François Achard The son of François, he was a master watchmaker. Originally from the Dauphiné region of France, he settled in Geneva and was made "habitant" in 1773. He was associated with his brother George until 1796, and is recorded as having made gold and enamel watches with automata, as well as watches with quarter repetition on bells.