Dutch pair cased sun and moon verge watch with date Circa 1720

Silver verge watch with date by Nicolaas Nieuwenhof
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A Dutch silver pair cased sun and moon verge watch with date, circa 1720. This watch has a gilded full plate movement, signed N. Nieuwenhof, with verge escapement, a plain flat three-arm brass balance, a winged balance cock decoratively pierced and engraved with flowers, foliage, and dogs’ heads, a basket of fruit at the neck, a broad cockfoot similarly decorated, square baluster pillars, a silver regulation disc, fusee and chain, and a silver gate with pierced and engraved foliage.
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The dial features a silver champlevé design, with the lower half showcasing an intricately chased and engraved repoussé figure of Venus and Cupid. It includes a large aperture with a rotating disc divided into day and night segments. The hours are indicated on an outer arched chapter ring marked with Roman numerals, and accented with black wax. A golden sun pointer represents daytime hours, while nighttime hours are indicated by a silver moon pointer surrounded by silver stars, all set against a blued steel background that resembles the sky. An outer Arabic minute ring encircles the design, and a single blued steel hand is shaped like a branch. Additionally, there is an aperture for the date on a gilded disc located at the base. The watch comes in two cases: a plain silver inner case with a split bezel to secure the glass, which is stamped and signed by Aubert, and a plain silver outer case.
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Diameter of outer case: 56 mm
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Signed: N. Nieuwenhof
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The movement is operational but intermittently stops. There are minor marks and scratches on the plates, particularly near the pins securing the pillars. The dial has been refurbished previously, resulting in some loss of detail in the repousse scene, along with minor marks and scratches throughout. The inner case shows small depressions on the band, while the outer case is tarnished and has slight indentations.
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N. Nieuwenhof[f] is recorded as operating in Amsterdam. Refer to B. Loomes, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, 21st Edition, p. 572.