EARLY AUTOMATON REPEATER – 1710

This is a very rare and unique early 18th Century English quarter repeating verge watch. The dial is automated with champleve work and features an intricate design of dragons striking a bell in the centre. The full plate fire gilt movement boasts turned baluster pillars and a fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup. The winged cock with mask and pierced and engraved foot, along with the plain steel balance and silver regulator disc, complete this exquisite timepiece. The watch is activated by a push pendant quarter repeating on a bell inside the case. The silver inner case is pierced and engraved with foliate scenes of dragons and birds, while the repousse outer case is chased and engraved with a scene of Pomona, the Roman goddess of abundance. The sculpted sections contain cartouches with images of a dragon, fish, bird of prey, and a squirrel. This watch is signed by Jean François Poncet, a well-known German watchmaker to the duke of Saxony and king of Poland. This watch is truly an exceptional piece and predates many examples of automaton work found on continental quarter repeaters by almost a century. This masterpiece has a diameter of 56 mm and a depth of 18.5 mm.

Signed Poncet London
Circa 1710
Diameter 56 mm
Depth 18.5 mm