G. Hoff & Fils, Chaux-de-Fonds

G. Hoff & Fils, Chaux-de-Fonds

A pink gold quarter repeating keyless lever watch with Jacquemart automaton

Circa 1890

• Movement: damascened nickel, lever escapement, wolf's tooth winding, 31 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, two polished steel hammers repeating on coiled gongs, signed G^me Hoff & Fils, Chaux-de-Fonds 

• Dial: silver chapter ring, black Roman numerals, applied vari-colour gold decoration, outer pearled minute ring, centre polychrome enamel painted with applied Jacquemart blacksmith figures striking an anvil in tandem with the repeating work, blued steel moon hands, engine-turned subsidiary seconds

• Case: 18ct pink gold, both covers decoratively engraved, front with two knights battling, a vacant cartouche beneath, the back centred by engraved knight's armour with military trophies behind, each surrounded by scrolling foliage, bezels and band further chased and engraved, hand-setting lever to bezel at 4 o'clock, polished gold cuvette engraved with movement details and signed G^me Hoff & Fils, Chaux-de-Fonds, back and cuvette numbered 44272, front cover numbered 72, all covers with Swiss hallmarks, case back with maker's mark JN in rectangular cameo

diameter 53mm