Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

New York, Jun 12, 2012

LOT 126

SWISS MINUTE REPEATING AUTOMATON WATCH FATHER TIME Swiss, No. 15833, case No. 25816. Made circa 1890. Rare, 18K gold, hunting cased, keyless, minute repeating pocket watch with automaton jacks.

C. Four-body, bassine, polished, the front cover with engraved decoration and monogram, polished band, the case back with engraved decoration centered by a crest. Hinged gold cuvette with dedication inscription. D. Small translucent royal blue guilloche enamel dial with applied gold Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds dial. Gold Louis XV hands. Blued steel outer dial plate applied with gold automaton Jacks: Father of Time on the left, cherubs on the right, striking hours, quarters and minutes on bells, a cornucopia below the dial. M. 18???, gilt brass, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a push piece in the band. Cuvette signed Volta. Diam. 54 mm.