Antique Verge Fusee Skeleton Automaton Quarter-Repeater Pocket Watch. France, 1820

Antique gilt-silver skeletonized automaton quarter-repeating pocket watch with verge fusee escapement, made in France circa 1820 and in great condition. The watch boasts a gorgeous and complicated design, with all the charm of 19th-century automaton watches. The dial lets us see the inner movement; this is why these watches are known as skeletonized. The gilt silver casing mounts a round gilt ball pendant with round bow, placed at the twelve position relative to the dial. There is a hinged circular guilloche rear cap with the initials of the casemaker on the inside (illegible) and the silver French hallmark. Under the cap we find a cuvette with a single winding aperture.The dial has an annular centrally-placed white-enamel chapter ring with Breguet numerals, closed minute track, open dial center and steel antique Breguet hands. The main dial I surrounded by two figures in togas, male and female, patinated in brown, gold and silver colors while holding hammers to ring the two silvered bells. The Jacks are said to represent Diana and Apollo, who move to strike bells when the repeating is activated. The bells are hung from floral arbors at the top of the dial, while a basket of flowers and two loyal dogs sit at the base of the dial. The watch movement is composed of a brass full plate, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain 3-arm gilt balance wheel, engraved Continental balance bridge secured with two screws and silvered regulator, and quarter-repeat function. The movement is clean and in very good running condition. This gorgeous antique gilt-silver skeletonized automaton quarter-repeating pocket watch with verge fusee escapement is a real collector piece and a very special item. Dimensions: Width: 58 mm.