17thc. Swiss Alarm Watch

A late 17th c. single handed Swiss alarm in a silver case, with fine original champleve dial.

MOVEMENT : This alarm movement, with verge escapement has a small engraved and pierced single footed balance cock. There are five finely made baluster pillars, and an engraved and pierced alarm spring barrel.

Signed Paul Hubert.

Two winding arbors, one which winds the fusee, and the other winds the alarm strike spring. The single hand is driven directly from the fusee, as with most single handed movements.

The movement is in good condition. Running well and the alarm functioning correctly.

DIAL : Fine silver champleve dial, with central alarm disk.

The dial plate is attached to the movement by 3 bayonet posts, which are locked in place by a steel lever. A very clever mechanism to allow the dial to be easily removed.

A few light scratches but generally fine.

The single hand (which is attached to the central arbor) is set by turning the arbor (clockwise).
The alarm is set by turning the central disk (again clockwise) using the stud at 12, until the number of hours required before the alarm is triggered is indicated at 12 o’clock.

CASE : This is a very fine silver case, engraved and pierced, with a mounted steel bell. Sliding shutter to the winding aperture on the back.

The band is beautifully engraved with hunting scenes, showing a hunter with horn, dogs, and rabbits.

Nice condition with just a little piece of silver missing from the band at 3 (between the rabbit and the dog). The hinge is fine and the bezel closes correctly.

The bell, screwed to the inside is fine with no damage or repairs.

Paul Hubert is listed in Geneva in 1683. The layout of the top plate dates this watch to about 1680.