THE KNIFE GRINDER, REPEATING WATCH WITH SEVEN AUTOMATON ACTIONS
Attributed to Esquivillon et Deschoudens à Genève, case No. 4913. Made circa 1810.
Very fine and very rare, quarter-repeating, 18K gold pocket watch with multicolored gold
striking Jacks and an automaton scene of a knife-grinder's workshop with a total of seven
automaton actions.
Three-body, "Empire", engine-turned, bolt at 11 to lock the repeating. Gilt brass
spring-loaded cuvette fitted to the movement ring.
Annular white enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions, center with applied
multicolored gold cherubs appearing to strike bells during repeating, gold brick arch
below and within an automaton scene depicting a knife-grinder sharpening a knife on a
grinding wheel while a boy drives the wheel via a large pulley, blued steel background.
Blued steel Breguet hands.
43 mm., 19''', frosted gilt, full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusée and chain, verge
escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, pierced and engraved
continental balance clock with polished steel endplate, silver regulation dial, repeating on
gongs activated by depressing the pendant, automaton driven via repeating train.