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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge fusee pocket watch with automaton

French Silver Gilt Verge Pocket Watch with Adam and Eve Automaton

Partially verified

This French open-face pocket watch, dated to the late eighteenth century, features a verge fusee movement housed in a large silver-gilt case with a reeded mid-section. The dial is decorated with blue and white vertical stripes overlaid with gilded foliage. A central circular glazed aperture depicts an Adam and Eve automaton scene; the movement powers a painted snake that rotates around the figures. Time is displayed on a subsidiary white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and gold hands. A second white enamel subsidiary dial on the left includes a two-way hand indicating the days of the week in French alongside corresponding astronomical symbols. Signed 'Du Bois et Fils' on the right side of the dial, the watch measures 62mm in diameter and 14mm in depth. The gold-plated full-plate fusee movement features an intricately pierced and engraved bridge cock with a steel coqueret.

Front view of the silver gilt pocket watch showing the enamel dial, Adam and Eve automaton, subsidiary time and day-of-week dials, and the 'Du Bois et Fils' signature.
Front view of the silver gilt pocket watch showing the enamel dial, Adam and Eve automaton, subsidiary time and day-of-week dials, and the 'Du Bois et Fils' signature. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge fusee pocket watch with automaton
Maker / attribution
Du Bois et Fils
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
A1320
Source-reported date
circa 1790
Source-reported place
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Automaton

The base is decorated with blue and white vertical stripes, embellished with gilded foliage motifs. Centrally positioned is a circular glazed aperture displaying a painted scene of Adam and Eve, which integrates a mechanical enamel snake that moves in synchronization with the watch's ticking.

The dial hosts two subsidiary white enamel registers. One, located at the bottom, displays the time via Arabic numerals and gold hands. The other, positioned to the left, shows the days of the week in French, accompanied by ancient astronomical symbols for the celestial bodies. The maker's signature, 'Du Bois et Fils', is presented in an oval cartouche on the right side.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه لعابی این اثر دارای پس‌زمینه‌ای با خطوط عمودی آبی و سفید است که با نقوش شاخ‌وبرگ طلاکاری‌شده پوشانده شده است”
  • “در یک روزنه مدور شیشه‌ای، صحنه تعارف سیب توسط حوا به آدم نمایش داده شده و با به کار افتادن و تیک‌تاک ساعت، یک مار لعاب‌کاری‌شده به دور آن‌ها به گردش درمی‌آید”
  • “در سمت چپ، یک صفحه فرعی دیگر با عقربه دورو تعبیه شده که روزهای هفته را به زبان فرانسوی و همراه با نمادهای نجومی اجرام آسمانی متناظر آن‌ها نمایش می‌دهد”

Movement and Escapement

The timepiece is powered by a gold-plated full-plate fusee movement utilizing a verge escapement. The construction incorporates a simple three-arm gilded balance wheel paired with a blued steel helical balance spring. A silver regulator plate with a blued steel indicator allows for the adjustment of timekeeping performance.

The bridge cock is noted for its intricate openwork and engraving, a characteristic refinement of the period. It is further protected by a steel coqueret.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور این ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلاک طلاکاری‌شده فیوزی (Full plate gilt fusee) است”
  • “قطعه نگهدارنده رقاصک (Bridge cock) با ظرافت مشبک‌کاری و حکاکی شده و دارای کوکرت فولادی (Steel coqueret) است”
  • “رقاصک ساده سه‌بازویی طلاکاری‌شده با فنر تعادل مارپیچ فولادی آبی‌رنگ”

Case and Provenance

The watch is housed in a large open-face case constructed from silver-gilt, which presents a plain finish. The mid-section of the case band is detailed with a reeded or fluted texture, providing a subtle decorative contrast to the polished surfaces. The case provides a robust enclosure for the intricate automaton and calendar mechanisms within.

According to the provided information, the watch dates to the late eighteenth century and is attributed to the French market. The seller's inventory record identifies the piece as item A1320.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب روباز (Open face) بزرگ از جنس نقره با روکش طلا (Silver gilt) جای گرفته است”
  • “بخش میانی بدنه این ساعت با لبه‌های شیاردار طراحی شده است”
  • “ساعت‌های مجهز به اتوماتون نمادی برجسته از پیوند صنعت ساعت‌سازی و هنرهای نمایشی مکانیکی به شمار می‌رفتند”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical connection or documented association of the maker 'Du Bois et Fils' to the French watchmaking industry of this period?
  • Are the astronomical symbols on the day-of-week register strictly traditional, or do they indicate any specialized usage for this specific movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Silver Gilt Verge Pocket Watch with Adam and Eve Automaton
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerDu Bois et Fils“Du Bois et Fils”
Movement TypeFull-plate gilt fusee with verge escapement“موتور این ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلاک طلاکاری‌شده فیوزی (Full plate gilt fusee) است”
Case MaterialSilver gilt“نقره با روکش طلا (Silver gilt)”
Dimensions62mm x 14mm“۶۲ × ۱۴ میلی‌متر”
DateCirca 1790“حدود ۱۷۹۰”
Seller Inventory IDA1320“شناسه موجودی فروشنده: A1320”
Country of OriginFrance“فرانسه”

Visible details

  • The enamel dial features a specific blue and white pinstriped pattern with gold foliage appliqués.
  • The Adam and Eve scene includes a mechanical rotating snake feature.
  • The movement bridge is ornately pierced and engraved.
  • The case features a distinct reeded pattern on the band.

Research qualifications

  • The dating 'circa 1790' is attributed to the seller.
  • The specific function or mechanism of the astronomical symbols alongside the day-of-week indicator is noted as a traditional feature but not further explained.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Silver Gilt Adam and Eve Automaton

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 02b008fdad

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.