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Lot Essay
In the fascinating world of 19th century automaton watches, the "Moses" automaton has always been considered one of the most significant examples of these highly complex timepieces. The difficulty of conceiving and realizing a mechanical movement capable of operating a series of delayed actions and combining it with a varicoloured gold and enamel scene of premier quality is a paragon of watchmaking, paying tribute to the outstanding skills of Swiss master watchmakers, casemakers, jewellers and enamellers of the period.
The spectacular specimen offered here for sale is furthermore distinguished by the choice of scene, derived from the book of Exodus (Greek for departure, expedition, procession), the second book of the Hebrew bible and the Old Testament. The Book of Exodus tells how Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, where Yahweh reveals himself and offers them a Covenant: they are to keep his Torah (i.e. law, instruction), and in return he will be their God and give them the land of Canaan. In Exodus 17:1-17, the Israelites encamped at Rephidim, there was no water and the people quarrelled with Moses. (Exodus 17:1-2). God told Moses to strike the rock at Horeb to produce water, and they called the place Massah (trial) and Meribah (quarrel) (Exodus 17:5-7).
The extremely complex automata of the present watch realistically simulates the scene in three sequences: Moses hitting the rock twice with his staff, the rock opening to reveal a flowing waterfall, framed by two kneeling Israelites drinking the water from their goblets. An opening underneath the scene revealing a second automaton comprising two putti striking a bell apparently in unison with the repeating.
The varicoloured gold scenes are of highest quality and impresses by their richness and the finely carved details but also the realistically flowing water simulated by a revolving glass rod.
The superb quality of the painted enamel background depicting the Children of Israel beneath the Eye of God illustrates the celebrated art of enamel miniatures originating from Geneva in the early 19th century.
According to research, the present timepiece is one of only five of such "Moses" automaton watches known to have survived, however all slightly differing in form, size, finish and enamelling. These horological masterpieces are today part of the world's most prestigious collections: Geneva's renowned Patek Philippe Museum, the Sandoz Collection, Musée de l'Horlogerie du Locle, Château des Monts, Le Locle, Switzerland, the Clock and Watch Museum Beyer in Zürich, an Important Private Collection, and the present watch, consigned by a distinguished collector.
The "Moses" automaton of the Sandoz Collection is illustrated in Les Automates by Alfred Chapuis, Edmond Droz, p. 190, and in La Montre des origines au XIXe siècle by Claudia Cardinale, p. 202, pl. 168. Interestingly, the movement construction as well as the casemaker's initials of the latter and the present watch are identical. Another example of such "Moses" automaton is described and illustrated in Taschenuhren by Reinhard Meis, pp. 164 & 165.
Charles Ducommun dit Boudrit or Boudry
Charles Ducommun dit ("aka") Boudrit or Boudry, a master watchmaker from Neuchâtel, worked in Madrid before settling in Geneva where he became particularly renowned for his complicated watches featuring equation of time, calendars, jump hours and others.
The spectacular specimen offered here for sale is furthermore distinguished by the choice of scene, derived from the book of Exodus (Greek for departure, expedition, procession), the second book of the Hebrew bible and the Old Testament. The Book of Exodus tells how Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, where Yahweh reveals himself and offers them a Covenant: they are to keep his Torah (i.e. law, instruction), and in return he will be their God and give them the land of Canaan. In Exodus 17:1-17, the Israelites encamped at Rephidim, there was no water and the people quarrelled with Moses. (Exodus 17:1-2). God told Moses to strike the rock at Horeb to produce water, and they called the place Massah (trial) and Meribah (quarrel) (Exodus 17:5-7).
The extremely complex automata of the present watch realistically simulates the scene in three sequences: Moses hitting the rock twice with his staff, the rock opening to reveal a flowing waterfall, framed by two kneeling Israelites drinking the water from their goblets. An opening underneath the scene revealing a second automaton comprising two putti striking a bell apparently in unison with the repeating.
The varicoloured gold scenes are of highest quality and impresses by their richness and the finely carved details but also the realistically flowing water simulated by a revolving glass rod.
The superb quality of the painted enamel background depicting the Children of Israel beneath the Eye of God illustrates the celebrated art of enamel miniatures originating from Geneva in the early 19th century.
According to research, the present timepiece is one of only five of such "Moses" automaton watches known to have survived, however all slightly differing in form, size, finish and enamelling. These horological masterpieces are today part of the world's most prestigious collections: Geneva's renowned Patek Philippe Museum, the Sandoz Collection, Musée de l'Horlogerie du Locle, Château des Monts, Le Locle, Switzerland, the Clock and Watch Museum Beyer in Zürich, an Important Private Collection, and the present watch, consigned by a distinguished collector.
The "Moses" automaton of the Sandoz Collection is illustrated in Les Automates by Alfred Chapuis, Edmond Droz, p. 190, and in La Montre des origines au XIXe siècle by Claudia Cardinale, p. 202, pl. 168. Interestingly, the movement construction as well as the casemaker's initials of the latter and the present watch are identical. Another example of such "Moses" automaton is described and illustrated in Taschenuhren by Reinhard Meis, pp. 164 & 165.
Charles Ducommun dit Boudrit or Boudry
Charles Ducommun dit ("aka") Boudrit or Boudry, a master watchmaker from Neuchâtel, worked in Madrid before settling in Geneva where he became particularly renowned for his complicated watches featuring equation of time, calendars, jump hours and others.