17th century single handed verge

A rare late 17thc. single handed verge, in silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilded verge escapement, with beautifully engraved and pierced large winged balance cock. Four tall Egyptian pillars. and large silver regulator disk.
The balance cock is finely engraved with birds, foliage and scrolls.

Signed Francois & David Mercier, and numbered 105.

This watch has an original single handed movement, with the single hand driven by a small wheel under the dial which is attached to the fusee arbor.

The movement is in reasonable condition, with just a little damage around the pillar tops. It is running, though a little fast.

DIAL : A fine silver champleve dial, with the chapter ring divided by half hour markers and no minute markers. Signed as the movement.

In good condition.

A nice early shaped brass hand.

INNER CASE : Silver, with makers’s mark AC.

In poor condition. The stem has been reattached and there are old repairs around the band, showing through to the outside as a darker colour. There are some dents and bumps, mostly associated with the repairs.

The hinge is worn but the bezel snaps shut, though it can be fiddly to release the movement. The high dome crystal has scratches and some small chips around the edge.

OUTER CASE : A silver pair case, with no maker’s mark.

The silver is in good condition, with just one small hole to the rim of the bezel at the catch. The hinge is a little worn but operational. The catch spring is weak and doesn’t allow the bezel to snap shut (a steel catch spring has been replaced with a brass one).

This watch was probably made in France, although it has many characteristics of an English watch of the period. The style of engraving to the movement, and shape of the balance cock foot are typical of late 17thc. London movements.