Extremely rare French pre balance spring verge Circa 1640

Gilt metal and rock crystal lobed form pendant watch by Henry Gebhart
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An extremely fine and equally rare French gilt metal and rock crystal pre balance spring, single-handed pendant watch of lobed form, circa 1640. Circular gilt-brass movement, plates with turned baluster pillars, fusee for early chain, short train, verge escapement, plain two armed steel balance without spring, irregular florally pierced and engraved small balance cock with small foot secured by a screw, worm and wheel set-up with pierced blued steel brackets and silver indicator disc. Gilt brass dial plate with engraved decoration, silver dial with engraved Roman numerals, inner half-hour divisions and an original single blued steel tulip hand. Case borders engraved with a hatched pattern, duo decagonal lobed and fluted rock crystal cover and back, loose ring pendant and button finial. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 37 mm
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Signed: Henry Gebhart à Strasbourg
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Henry Gebhart of Strasburg is recorded as working from circa 1630 to 1660. This type of watch, gilt metal and rock crystal, is usually associated with the period before 1630, however, the form of the cock and the worm and wheel setup are closer to 1640. A probable explanation of the somewhat anachronistic appearance is to be found in the proximity of Strasburg to the German states, with the likelihood that his clientele would be appreciative of the ‘Augsburg’ style of the early 17th century. To this end, it is interesting to note that astronomical table clocks are also known by Gebhardt. A watch signed by Henry Gebhart is in the Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva.