Large Early Dutch Verge

A fine, early Dutch verge, with a calendar dial. The movement very much in the English style.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, the large and beautifully engraved winged balance cock with a wide ‘D’ shaped foot, pierced and engraved with birds, scrolls, foliage and a mask to the neck. Four fine tulip pillars.

Signed Abraham Oosterwyk, Middleburg. In excellent condition, with just a couple of scratches across the signature.

Running well. The calendar function works correctly.

DIAL : Silver champleve dial, with signed (OOSTERWYK. MIDDLEBURG) central disk, and calendar window under the signature. In very good condition.

Good early steel hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with rubbed maker’s mark IW under a crown.

In very good condition with just a few light bruises and wear to the left sleeve of the hinge. The bezel snaps shut correctly. The very high dome crystal has a few light scratches but otherwise is fine.

OUTER CASE : Silver with matching maker’s mark to the inner. Good large square 7 sleeve hinge.

In good condition, with just minor dents and bruises. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut.

Abraham Oosterwyk, clockmaker and watchmaker was active in Middleburg in the Netherlands from about 1689 to about 1710. Usually mentioned with his father Adamszoon Severijn Oosterwijk, also a watchmaker. At their request, the Magistrate in The Hague set up the watchmakers’ guild in 1688. (Ref. British Museum).