P. COMBRET, GILT-BRASS AND SILVER SINGLE-HAND PRE-BALANCE SPRING OVAL PENDANT WATCH WITH ALARM, SUNDIAL AND COMPASS



Details

CIRCA: 17th Century
CASE MATERIAL: Gilt-brass and silver
CASE DIAMETER: 55 x 62 mm.
DIAL: Gilded and engraved, silver central alarm disc
MOVEMENT: Manual, key-wound, alarm on a bell
FUNCTIONS: Time and alarm
BOX: No
PAPERS: No


Lot Essay

This interesting and rare oval pendant watch was made in the French city of Lyon in the opening years of the 17th century. In common with many watches of this antiquity, it has had some elements replaced. The case front cover is decorated with a scene perhaps representing St. George and the Dragon, the interior is engraved with a sundial and folding gnomon, the compass above. The foliate band is finely pierced for alarm sound emission. The dial is also finely engraved with flowers, figures and foliage, the plain chapter ring is engraved with Roman hours and arrow half-hour markers on an outer ring and 24-hour numerals on the inner ring, indicated by a single beetle hand. The inner silver disc with corresponding hand is to set the alarm. The movement with two trains for going and alarm has four separate pierced foliate cocks, the balance cock with small pinned foot.
Pierre II Combret à Lyon (1581-1622)
The son of Pierre I, he was born in Égletons in the Rhône-Alpes region. Combret is noted for making oval, octagonal and crucifix shaped watches as well as fine pendant form watches.
A similar watch by Pierre Combret also with sundial is in the British Museum Collection. (Museum Number 1958,1201.2267)