$22,420
“Four Automaton Chronos” Attributed to Esquivillon et Deschoudens à Genève. Made circa 1810. Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold quarter-repeating watch with striking automaton Jacks. Four-body, "Empire", polished, engine-turned band, hinged gold cuvette. White enamel, annular, with Dauphine numerals and outer minute divisions. Blued steel "Breguet" hands. Center with applied varicolored gold cherubs striking bells during repeating, the upper part with automaton scene appearing during repeating, with a Jack striking the hours and the figure of Chronos with a scythe. 44 mm, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, continental type cock, repeating on gongs activated by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via the repeating train. Diam. 55 mm. Notes Esquivillon & Dechoudens Master watchmakers of the 18th century. Gédéon-François Esquivillon was associated with his brother Joseph and Jaques Dechoudens in 1774. They are known to have signed "Es. et Dech. "Dictionnaire des horlogers genevois" by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, 1998.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2007-03-28
