DESCRIPTION:
Simon Bartram, London, a rare mid 17th century silver verge pocket watch with date, key wind and set, full plate fusee movement with pre balance spring verge escapement, tulip pillars, pinned balance cock with pierced and engraved floral and foliate ornament, worm and wheel mainspring set up mounted to the top plate, and decorative, blued steel components, the top plate engraved "Simon Bartram Londini", contained in a silver, gadrooned, sea urchin inspired case with swivel pendant and ring bow, split bezel, bead ornament on a matted ground, and the back with a central, six lobed ornament surrounding a ring of beads and flower, the key hole with rotating shutter, roman numeral silver dial with floral, engraved center and single blued steel hand, a separate chapter at the periphery with arabic numeral date display, indicated by a blued steel pointer, 48mm
CONDITION:
CASE: Tarnish; Minor wear; A few minor dings; Bezel with gap when closed; Bottom with hole for locating pin, pin absent; Bow replaced. DIAL: Minor tarnish and a few scratches; Date chapter lifted slightly from plate, 6 - 9:00. HANDS: Minor oxide. MOVEMENT PLATES: Minor marks and scratches; Shallow punch marks and scratches at engraved signature; Balance cock now screwed to plate; Balance cock foot with added steady pins; Blued steel mount for set up worm with loss at left and minor oxide. MOVEMENT FUNCTION: No tension on mainspring, probably unhooked; Runs with pressure on train. Simon Bartram (1598 - 1667) was master of the Clockmakers Company 1650 - 51. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has in its collection a watch with identical case by Robert Smith. See https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/194071
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$6000
CIRCA: 1650
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"