Single Handed French Pocket Watch

An early French ‘oignon’ verge, with single handed movement, gilt and enamel dial, in an unusual silver over gilt case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with a very large and beautifully engraved and pierced balance bridge, showing birds, foliage and scrolls. Small, early style silver regulator disk.

The movement is wound through the dial. The hand is driven from the 2nd wheel of the movement train (no central wheel as with a two handed watch).

Running well.

DIAL : Gilt dial, with blue and white cartouche numerals. In good condition, though the cartouches at 1, 3, 9 and 10 have been restored and are slightly yellowed in places.

The steel hand is of the correct style for the period, and may be original.

CASE : A fine case of engraved silver over a gilt brass base, with engraved animals around the band, foliage to the centre of the back and panels around the bezel.

The stem is original, though the bow probably later.

In very good condition with just some wear to the brass gilding, and one very short tare to the silver on the back near the hinge.

Good high dome crystal in perfect condition.