Thoughts???

It has a cable winding system

Could it be as old at 1600-1650?

2

First thoughts:

French verge fusee, Japy Freres ebauche ca. 1820.

Good dial and hands ! French fusees are wound from the front side, this causes often terrible chips near the winding arbor.

Are there any marks at the case and could you show a side view of the movement ?

Regards
Gerald

Gerald - First nice to see someone actually help out...

Let me get some additional photos

I sent the 2 photos to a friend and his thoughts:

"These verge movements are super hard to identify when they are not signed. I think it may be French in or-gin but there is a chance it is Swiss. Hard to tell! I think the case is French. Made around 1810-1820"

inside lid

2

3

I agree the part with the 'super hard'

The small mark on the right side is called:

'Chevrons de Neuchatel' used since 1814. - swiss

Japy Freres, which I think were the maker of the ebauche ('rough' or 'gray' movement), were located at Beaucourt - france

For an unmarked verge we are getting it real close.

Regards
Gerald

I am excited!!!

Usually, never run into these Verge watches, this one was in a box with a mix of other "unique" watches. I was half chicken, but still wound the movement up 2 turns, and it actually started running. Not really a smooth sounding rhythm, but the history poured out of it... Way neat

That's great !

An original watch of this age in running condition - fine
The sound of this verges is always like a lame with a walking stick.

When you wind this watch, make sure you use a slender key with enough clearance to the dial.

Regards
Gerald

Very cool, great fun... I love the description of the sound the mechanism should make... "like a lame with a walking stick."