Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

New York, Apr 09, 2014

LOT 26

ANONYMOUS SWISS "THE BLACKSMITHS" Anonymous Swiss, Quarter Repeating and Automaton Pocket Watch, case No. 15741. Made circa 1900. Fine, quarter-repeating, 18K gold, hunting cased, keyless pocket watch with blacksmith automaton Jacks. Accompanied by a box.

Six-body, bassine et filets, polished, entire case hand-engraved in a foliage motive, cover centered by a shield, glazed inner back to view the movement, hinged gold cuvette. White enamel with painted radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, the center with animated blacksmiths forging during repeating, creating the illusion that the sound is made by striking the anvil. Blued steel spade hands. Cal. 19', nickel-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 35 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide in the band. Unsigned, case numbered.