Swiss gilt brass, rock crystal and silver verge watch Circa 1640

Gilt brass dodecahedral faceted rock crystal and silver pendant watch 
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A very fine and rare Swiss gilt brass dodecahedral faceted rock crystal and silver pre-balance spring single-handed pendant watch of lobed form, circa 1640. Gilt brass full plate movement, turned vase-shaped pillars, fusee and gut line, short four-wheel train with five leaf pinions, verge escapement, steel two-armed circular foliot, elongated cock pierced and engraved with flowers secured by a pin, ratchet wheel and click mainspring set up. Silver dial, radial Roman hour numerals with inner dots, lozenge half-hour divisions, the centre engraved with a riverside townscape with figures, gilt brass dial plate engraved with flowers and foliage, four locating pins with corresponding slots in the case band and original fine steel tulip hand. Case with gilt brass frame, bezel with feather engraving, turned lower finial and loose ring pendant, twelve lobed rock crystal cover over the dial, silver twelve lobed back made to replace the original rock crystal. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 33 mm
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Signed: J. Sermand
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Interestingly, the back of the case has been remade in silver in a replica of the shape of the lost crystal original. This replacement would appear to be of considerable age, quite possibly 18th century and illustrates how valued these watches were by their owners.
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Jaques Sermand (1595-1651) a master watchmaker, the son of Henry. 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 a fitted box. He taught 11 apprentices, among them: Robert Legrand in 1623, Pierre Reboul in 1627, Claude Reboul in 1628, Isaac Penard in1632, Jacques I Joly in 1635, Amy Colavin in 1639, Paul Fabbi in 1640, Alexandre Larrive in 1644, Pierre Dunant and Jean Dunant in 1645, Thomas Ravaud in 1648. His nephew, also named Jacques Sermand (1636 – 1667), was a watchmaker as well.