Montre de Poche Automate à « Faux Pendule » – Tête de...

Rare Automaton Pocket Watch with a “Faux Pendule” – Horse Head – Burnished Steel – Circa 1900 Remarkable antique mechanical pocket watch from the Belle Époque, circa 1900, featuring an original mechanical animation known as a “faux pendule” (false pendulum). The piece’s hallmark is a circular pierced aperture at 6 o’clock, revealing a brass automaton depicting a raised horse head. When the watch runs, this animation swings continuously from left to right, visually reproducing the motion of a balance wheel. This animated complication lends a singular character to this antique timepiece. The enamel dial showcases a polychrome decorative composition inspired by Art Nouveau and Orientalist motifs, with a pagoda at the top, allegorical figures, and floral designs. The hours are indicated by black Arabic numerals on a central disk, accompanied by fine period hands. The case, in burnished steel, presents a dark finish characteristic of antique pocket watches, subtly contrasting with the gold-brass crown and bow. The interior of the case bears the number 32520 and a workshop mark stamped “H.” Delicate handwritten inscriptions also attest to prior horological interventions. The watch is powered by a manual-wind mechanical movement of the Roskopf type, equipped with a regulator staff labeled “Avance” and “Retard.” An original antique horological piece, particularly interesting for collectors of animated-complication pocket watches and Belle Époque horological curiosities. Technical specifications * Type: Mechanical pocket watch with automaton * Era: Circa 1900 * Style: Belle Époque, Art Nouveau * Movement: Manual-wind mechanical * Movement type: Roskopf * Special feature: Mechanical animation known as “faux pendule” * Automaton: Brass horse head visible at 6 o’clock * Dial: Enamel with polychrome decorative design and Arabic numerals * Decoration: Pagoda, allegorical figures, and floral motifs * Case: Burnished steel * Crown and bow: Gold-brass * Diameter: Approximately 46 mm * Inner number: 32520 * Stamp: Workshop mark “H” * Regulation: Regulator with “Avance / Retard” indications Condition and operation Mechanical condition: Very good functioning on testing. The movement winds correctly and the horse-head animation swings smoothly and regularly. Aesthetic condition: Pleasant vintage condition with patina consistent with the watch’s age. * Case: Burnished steel with a uniform dark patina, no major wear reported. * Dial: Polychrome decoration well preserved, with a distinctive visual composition. * Automaton: Animation functional during tests. * Movement: Historic mechanism with original regulator staff. The photographs are an integral part of the description and allow appreciation of the actual condition of this piece.

Estimate:$93.1

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