Lot 48
A FINE GILT AND ROCK CRYSTAL PRE BALANCE SPRING PENDANT WATCH WITH CONTEMPORARY INLAID EBONY DISPLAY STANDFirst quarter 17th century
14 April 2022, 13:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$31,875 inc. premium
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A FINE GILT AND ROCK CRYSTAL PRE BALANCE SPRING PENDANT WATCH WITH CONTEMPORARY INLAID EBONY DISPLAY STAND
Date: First quarter 17th century
Movement: Gilt oval plates joined by baluster pillars, secured in the case by two springs fixed under the dial which are released by two buttons on either side of the chapter ring, verge escapement, fusee with gut line, ratchet and pawl mainspring setup, pinned cock pierced and engraved with flowers, flat steel balance
Dial: Oval with border of scrolling floral vines on textured ground, applied silvered roman chapter ring enclosing vignette of figure with sack approaching a windmill beside a stream, blued baluster hand
Case: Octagonal with hinged gilt bezels engraved on the interior with flowering vines securing front and back lids of faceted rock crystal within a ribbon tied reeded molding, the faceted sides with turned drop and loose ring pendant.
Size: The stand 7 in (18 cm) high, the watch case 41x48 mm excluding pendant
Accompaniments: The stand on molded rectangular base with brass inlaid plinth incorporating gilt repousse panels of scrolling foliage inhabited by game supporting a pair of turned tapered columns spanned by an arched capital with gilt urn finial
Movement: Gilt oval plates joined by baluster pillars, secured in the case by two springs fixed under the dial which are released by two buttons on either side of the chapter ring, verge escapement, fusee with gut line, ratchet and pawl mainspring setup, pinned cock pierced and engraved with flowers, flat steel balance
Dial: Oval with border of scrolling floral vines on textured ground, applied silvered roman chapter ring enclosing vignette of figure with sack approaching a windmill beside a stream, blued baluster hand
Case: Octagonal with hinged gilt bezels engraved on the interior with flowering vines securing front and back lids of faceted rock crystal within a ribbon tied reeded molding, the faceted sides with turned drop and loose ring pendant.
Size: The stand 7 in (18 cm) high, the watch case 41x48 mm excluding pendant
Accompaniments: The stand on molded rectangular base with brass inlaid plinth incorporating gilt repousse panels of scrolling foliage inhabited by game supporting a pair of turned tapered columns spanned by an arched capital with gilt urn finial
Footnotes
The present watch is one of very few late 16th / early 17th century watches to survive in its original condition. A pendant jewel more than a pocket watch, it was probably never carried as a timepiece. It may owe its survival to the protection provided by the ebony stand made for it.
Although unsigned, the curious feature of a windmill engraved in the dial center begs the question whether the watch might be Dutch. Another watch with the same style of movement, also unsigned and with a windmill on the dial was sold by Auktionen Dr. Crott, May 15, 2015, Lot 69, described as possibly Dutch.
Additional information
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