Large Paris Single Handed Watch

An early ‘oignon’ single handed verge, in good condition.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with a large engraved and pierced, balance bridge. Nice blued steel and silver work to the balance regulator.

Signed ANDRE HORY A PARIS

In good condition and running well.

This is a single handed watch (hour hand only). The hand is driven directly from the fusee arbor (see photo). The movement is wound (anticlockwise) using the steel arbor at the centre of the dial.

DIAL : A white enamel dial in reasonable condition, with two areas of repair on the edge at 4 and 6. and a small chip on the edge at 12. There are two light hairlines running from the edge at 7 towards the centre.

The steel hand, which is in good condition, appears to be original. One of the dial feet has worn short, but the dial is held firmly by the remaining two.

CASE : A gilt brass case, with profuse engraving to the bezel and back.

The case is in good condition though with wear to the gilding. There are signs of an old solder repair around the rim of the back. This has been very well done but has left a thin grey mark around the rim.

The stem and bow appear to be original. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal is in good condition.

Andre Hory is listed in Paris from around 1700, though I think that this watch is a few years earlier.