Very early French watch in oval gilt & silver case

Stock No. 2195

Bergier
France, c1620
Gilt brass & silver oval case, 40 mm. (excluding stem) x 30 mm.
Verge, pre balance spring, single handed movement

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17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier
17th century French watch, Bergier

A very rare early 17th century small French oval watch, signed Bergier, in a gilt brass and silver case. Some later parts and not running.

MOVEMENT : The gilt verge, single handed movement has four rounded baluster pillars, a large mainspring barrel, and a gut driven fusee wheel,

Four tabs on the dial locate the movement in the case, secured by two springs and latches at nine and three o’clock. So the movement can be lifted out without being hinged to the case. This clever system can be seen on other French watches of the period.

Signed Bergier.

The movement is in poor, worn condition, with some later parts. The balance wheel and staff are missing.
Between the plates, the mainspring and fusee appear to be original. The teeth of the second and third wheels are hand cut but pivots are short on both, and the arbors bent. Old repairs are visible to the fusee and third wheel.
On the top plate, the screw securing the balance cock is a replacement, probably the blued steel mainspring regulator wheel, and curiously the balance cock itself has no bush at the centre to hold the top pivot of the staff. So this may also be a replacement.

DIAL : The gilt dial is nicely engraved with foliage and scrolls, with two cherubs at the top. Within the silver chapter ring is a gilt central disk engraved with a village scene. On the edge at 3 and 9 are the two steel sprung clips allowing the movement to be lifted from the case.

Blued steel hand.

All in good condition.

CASE : This is a wonderful little gilt brass oval, drum shaped case, with a band of engraved silver. Hinged covers to back and front, with gilded interior.

The front cover of the case is engraved with Diana in her bath discovering Callisto’s pregnancy.

In very good condition. Both covers close correctly and the movement clips firmly into place. There are signs of three very small repairs, one on each cover at the hinge and the other at the catch of the front cover. These show as small areas of silver metal.

A number of watchmakers named Bergier are listed in Grenoble at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century, presumably from the same family (ref. Tardy)