A Continental Renaissance style silver mounted rock crystal'form watch

  
A Continental Renaissance style silver mounted rock crystal'form watch' Bearing signature for A. Rene, probably mid 19th century The oval gilt full plate single fusee verge movement with four baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and three-arm balance, the leafy foliate scroll engraved backplate with conforming asymmetric pierced and engraved balance cock engraved A Rene to the wedge-shaped foot and with blued steel spring set-up ratchet, the silver dial with single steel hand and centre engraved with a village landscape within unusual applied arcaded Roman numeral chapter ring with inner quarter track and triform half hour markers within a fine foliate scroll chased oval surround, the two-piece case carved in the form of a scallop shell with herringbone bordered repeating scroll pierced mask around the dial incorporating the hinge for both the movement and the upper part of the case, the exterior with rope twist mouldings and clasp opposing pendant rising from a scroll pieced and engraved foot, (balance staff broken), the movement pillar plate 26mm (1ins) by 21mm (0.813ins), the watch 61mm (2.438ins) high to top of suspension post WEIGHT 60GR. The movement of the current lot is interesting in that it was made to broadly resemble that of an early 17th century pre-hairspring watch with small asymmetric foliate pierced balance cock and steel spring set-up ratchet and pawl to the backplate. However, on closer examination, the wedge-shaped foot to the cock and the pierced brass stop-iron block are typically later (18th/19th century) features which give-away the watches true age. Other pointers are the finely executed engraving to the backplate which is not at all typical of early 17th century practice and the slender knopped baluster pillars which are again not of the usual pattern. The landscape to the centre of the finely engraved dial also has a distinctive 19th century feel as does the unusual shape of the chapter ring. From this it can be concluded that the present watch was made as a'historic' revival piece which became fashionable from the mid 19th century onwards. Rene would also suggest that the watch is also probably French in origin.

Condition: due to the mechanical nature of clocks and the fact that most are of great age we cannot offer any guarantee as to whether they are in working order or free from major faults or restoration. Although we endeavour to catalogue items in a fair and informed manner, omission of any comments or observations regarding the condition or originality of a clock in the description does not necessarily indicate that it is free from significant faults, restoration or is in working condition. Please let me know if you have any question.

The item "A Continental Renaissance style silver mounted rock crystal'form watch" is in sale since Tuesday, December 1, 2020. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Wristwatches".mx" and is located in Mex.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Department: pocket
• Case Material: Crystal
• Type: Wristwatch
• Brand: Continental