Verge Pocket Watch, Single Hand
Stock No. 1361
Anon., France, c1680
Gilt repousse case, 56.5 mm.
Verge escapement, single handed
Sold
An early French ‘oignon’ verge, with single handed movement and mock pendulum balance.
MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with a very large and beautifully engraved balance bridge, cut away at the base to reveal the huge balance wheel (mock pendulum). Small, early style silver regulator disk. Unsigned.
The movement is wound anticlockwise from the steel square in the centre of the dial.
The hand is driven from the 2nd wheel of the movement train (no central wheel as with a two handed watch).
Good condition and running well. There are a few old repairs, a crack to the dial false plate, and some replaced screws, but nothing serious or noticeable.
DIAL : Nice plain gilt dial. In good condition, with just some wear to the gilding in places. Beautiful blued steel hand, which could be original.
CASE : An unusual and fine gilt brass case, hinged to the bezel and the back. With repousse decoration to the back and bezel and a nice mask to the centre of the back.
In very good condition with just a little wear to the gilding on the rim, stem and bow. The stem and bow both appear to be original. The hinges are fine and both the bezel and back close nicely.
Good high dome bull’s eye crystal in perfect condition except for a couple of small chips on the bezel at 9.
Although not signed, this watch was probably made in France around 1680.