I just fabricated a new glass crystal for this beautiful French verge fusee onion watch made in Paris by Gilles Martinot in the late 17th century, about 1685. To me this timepiece is special because watches made during this period were the first to use the balance spring; this new development ushered in an era of much better accuracy for portable pocket timepieces. The watch is surprisingly heavy. The diameter of the gilt brass case is about 56mm and it's just about as tall as it is wide! The dial is gilt copper with fired enamel. The single hand is heat blued steel. It's a beautiful survivor in great condition so I thought I would share some photographs.

William

Dial

Movement

Balance Bridge

Opened

Complete

Don't have a clue at what I'm looking at, but enough to know it was a top of the line in it's day.
Fine restoration! You're probably one of a rare few who could put a proper crystal on it.
Good job!

Great looking watch.Good job.
Did you put a bullseye crystal on it?

Roger

Quite a clean example of beginnings of pocket watch horology.
That was maybe like the newest technology in its day.
Like a new iPhone ?
Nice work, the crystal is appropriate and better than 1600’s quality.
Thanks William

What a beautiful timepiece William.

Tim

Roger,

No bullseye. Simple convex 50.85mm diameter and over 10mm inside center clearance! It definitely qualifies as a high dome crystal!

William