8-Day Quarter Hour Repeating Automaton Pocket Watch by Barbezat

A magnificent fusion of art and mechanics, this rare Swiss 8-day repeating automaton pocket watch is a captivating example of early 20th-century horological artistry. Crafted by Barbezat, this timepiece combines sculptural beauty with complex engineering in equal measure.

The faux lapis lazuli dial evokes a midnight sky dusted with gold, its celestial hue contrasted by a white porcelain chapter ring bearing fine black Arabic numerals. Flanking the dial, two gilt classical figures stand poised with hammers in hand, striking the bells above them in harmony with the watch’s quarter-hour repeating chime on two gongs. Above, a pair of bells and a lyre complete the theatrical tableau, while a golden basket of flowers adorns the lower dial, enhancing the watch’s symmetry and ornamentation.

Housed in an open-face gold-filled case with a rare sculptural bow depicting two caryatids supporting the crown, this piece radiates neoclassical grandeur. Beneath its artistry lies a 15-jewel movement, adjusted to four positions, featuring a lever escapement and a bimetallic balance wheel, capable of running for a full eight days on a single wind, an astounding technical feat for its time.

Fully restored, this extraordinary watch remains a celebration of fine Swiss craftsmanship, sound, and motion, creating a true mechanical performance when activated.

58mm

Circa 1910