Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 308

The Knife GrinderUnsigned, probably Le Locle, No. 425, circa 1810.Very fine 18K gold quarter-repeating watch with striking Jacks and automaton scene.

C. Three-body, "Empire", engine-turned back, reeded band, gilt spring-loaded cuvette. D. White enamel ring with Breguet nume-rals and outer minute track. Blued steel Breguet hands. Center with applied gold cherubs striking bells during repeating, lower part with automaton scene depicting a man sharpening a knife on a grinding wheel while a boy drives the wheel via a large pulley. M. 51 mm. (23'''), frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass blance with flat balance spring, single-footed English style cock, repeating on gongs by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via repeating train.Movement punched with the number and maker's mark shaped like a cross with a dot in the center, case punched with the mo-vement number, casemaker's initials "DC/Fs" and case number 8512.Diam. 59 mm.