Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 475

Spinning Wheel and Knife Grinder Unsigned, Swiss, circa 1820. Fine and unusual 18K gold and vernis Martin double-face automaton watch.

C. Three-body, ?Directoire?, bezels with champlevé enamel forming a green laurel leaf ring on a black ground with white triangles and gold flowers. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, winding aperture at 7 o?clock. Gold ?half moon? hands with pierced tips. Automaton scene on the other side with a man on the right sharpening a knife, the spinning wheel worked by a woman to the left, her hands and wheel animated, as well as the man?s hand, his foot and his driving wheel. M. 38 mm., gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, double-footed plain cock. Separate automaton movement set on the reverse and wound through the automaton dial. Diam. 57 mm.