| Height | 83.5 mm overall |
An Exceptionally Rare Pre-Hairsprong Survivor From The Beginnings Of European Watchmaking
The substantial oval gilt brass case retaining the original finial, stem and loose ring bow with three knuckle hinges to the convex gilt oval covers.
The plain oval gilt brass dial with a single blued steel hand and a chapter ring with Roman numerals and touch-pieces, a feature found on only the very earliest watches. The inside of the front cover is engraved with initials and a date.
The short duration movement with baluster pillars and plain gilt oval plates signed P. Chapelle. Gut fusee and plain flat two arm balance with a pierced and engraved balance cock.
The duration being of 12 hours.
Provenance: Exhibited Antiquarian Horological Society 10th Anniversary Exhibition, Science Museum, London May-Aug 1954 No. 54.
Antiquorum, L’Art de L’Horologerie en France, Geneva, 14th November 1993, lot 8.
Literature: Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, T.P. Camerer Cuss, illustrated pp. 55 and plate 8. Watches Cecil Clutton and George Daniels, illustrated plate 63.
| Clock maker: | Pierre Chapelle |
| Circa: | 1595 |
| Height: | 83.5 mm overall |