Early English single-handed verge watch with alarm Circa 1690

Silver pair cased verge watch by Daniel Quare
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An early English silver pair cased single-handed verge pocket watch with alarm, circa 1690. Very fine and early verge movement, tulip pillars, decorated second barrel for the alarm, the original ratchet wheel is missing, but the alarm is still working. Champlevé dial with Roman hours and central alarm disc. Both cases pierced, the outer case decorated with a chiselled village view, angel portrait and animals, the inner case also with various animals and an angel portrait, bell. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 170 g
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Signed: Quare London
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Daniel Quare was an important watchmaker, born in Somersetshire around 1648. He became a member of the guild in 1671 and was registered as a master in 1708. Quare died in Croydon in Surrey on 21 March 1724. In addition to his legendary watches, Daniel Quare built numerous barometers and mathematical instruments. He also invented the rack strike train. He drew the attention of the King when Edward Barlow tried to patent a repeater mechanism for watches in 1686. With the support of the guild, Quare opposed this because he had been making repeater mechanisms himself since 1680. The repeater of a watch was very important at that time without electricity because it allowed determining the time even in the dark. Barlow’s patent was rejected and the King, who tested Barlow’s and Quares watches in comparison, declared that he preferred Quares watches. There are watches by Quare in the Royal Collections at Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court, as well as in major museums and other collections.