SWISS | AN EXTREMELY RARE GOLD, ENAMEL AND PEARL-SET QUARTER REPEATING AUTOMATA WATCH WITH JACQUEMARTS MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKETCIRCA 1810

• Movement: gilded full plate, cylinder escapement, plain flat three-arm brass balance, repeating on a bell mounted within the movement backplate• Dial: white enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, surrounded by a polychrome enamel painted scene depicting a mountainous landscape with a lake in the foreground, applied vari-coloured gold foreground scene with automata depicting water flowing towards a turning water wheel whilst a fisherman catches a fish, his arm raising and lowering a fishing rod with a fish at the end of the line, the top of the dial with two vari-coloured gold Jacquemarts figures each appearing to strike a bell in unison with the watch's repeating work, against a deep blue enamel sky• Case: gold, front and back with split-pearl-set bezels, the band with stylised dot and dart engraved decoration, case back with restored polychrome enamel painting depicting a landscape scene, a castle to the background and a farmer with cows and a dog in the river to the foreground, two small pushers to the right hand case side for opening front and back covers, switch beneath bezel at 11 o'clock for selecting automata, fixed inner gold domed cuvette decoratively engraved with flowers and foliage and pierced for sound emission, apertures for winding automata and going trains, indistinct case maker's mark to inside back cover

Sotheby's, The Palace Collections of Egypt, March 1954, lot 480

Movement: running and repeating, the Jaquemarts figures operating in time with the strike of the bell, the automata scene also operational. Dial: Small scratch just to the right of centre of the white enamel dial. Small areas of restoration behind the fisherman and just about behind the goat. Case: back enamel scene has been restored.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

A watch also featuring a fisherman automaton is illustrated in Watches & Automata, The Sandoz collection, page 116.