58,190 CHF
Des Arts & Cie, (Geneva), circa 1800. "La Forge de Cupidon" Very fine 18K gold and enamel, double face quarter repeating watch with automaton scene. Double body, Directoire, polished with glazed back. White enamel on the front with Breguet numerals. Gold half-moon hands. Varicoloured gold automaton scene on the rear face, applied on a finely painted enamel Swiss landscape with mountains on the background. Between two Martin Martine type automaton jacks striking hours and quarters on bells and also driven by the repeating work, two cherubs are forging the weapons of Venus. Gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance beneath the dial, flat balance spring. Repeating by depressing the pendant on two bells placed between the plates. Milled wheel on the dial plate to set the hands. Signed on the dial. Diam. 54 mm. Notes Although it is full plate, this movement is very similar to those produced by Chevalier & Cochet with the bells included in the movement. Des Arts & Cie Watchmakers from the end of the 18th century to the first quarter of the 19th century producing repeaters and watches with automata.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-11-16
