Swiss gold, champlevé and rock crystal verge Circa 1630

Single handed octagonal pendant watch by Jaques Sermand
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An exceptional Swiss gold, champlevé enamel and faceted rock crystal pre balance spring single handed octagonal pendant watch, circa 1630. Gilt brass full plate oval movement, turned vase shaped pillars, fusee and gut line, short four wheel train with five leaf pinions, verge escapement, blued steel two armed circular foliot, elongated cock pierced and engraved with flowers and secured by a screw, ratchet wheel and click mainspring set up. Silver dial, Roman hour chapters with inner half hour and quarter hour divisions, centre engraved with a townscape, gilt brass dial plate engraved with flowers, four locating pins with corresponding slots in the case band, the surround decorated with white champlevé enamel and engraved gold, original blued steel tulip hand.  Case with rock crystal to both sides mounted in gold bezels with engraved lappet claws, band and bezel edge decorated with white and violet champlevé enamel, the interior of the cover decorated with white champlevé enamel, hexagonal lower finial with scroll base decorated with red and white enamel, pendant to match with swivel loop. Movement signed.
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Dimensions: 43 x 35 mm
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Signed:43 x 35 mm
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A watch made by Sermand in an oval case with rock crystal on both sides, previously in the collection of The King of Naples, is in the Louvre Museum.
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Jaques Sermand (1595-1651). Son of Henry. Master watchmaker. Made agate and rock crystal form watches designed as a cross, a star, a tulip or a skull. Signed a watch designed as a six pointed star with fitted box. He taught 11 apprentices, among them: Robert Legrand in 1623, Pierre Reboul in 1627, Claude Reboul in 1628, Isaac Penard in 1632, Jacques I Joly in 1635, Amy Colavin in 1639, Paul Fabbi in 1640, Alexandre Larrive in 1644, Pierre Dunant & Jean Dunant in 1645, Thomas Ravaud in 1648. His nephew, also named Jacques Sermand (1636 – 1667), was a watchmaker as well.