Dutch silver verge watch with mock pendulum Circa 1730

Rare pocket watch with magnificent movement
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A rare, early verge watch with mock pendulum, made by William Gib Jr in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, circa 1730.
The watch features a case crafted from silver, is engraved with the master’s mark “M” and the protective case is missing. The typical Duct enamel dial features a curved outer minute and hour track with Arabic minute numerals and Roman hour numerals and the original hands. The extremely magnificent movement is equipped with a verge escapement with special pillars, a glazed balance bridge with a mock pendulum, a bridge with a relief depiction of a putto holding a heart in his hand and the inscription “Brande en Swygen” underneath the mock pendulum.
The case and movement bear matching numbers and the movement is signed.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Weight: 118 g
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Signed: William Gib Junior, Rotterdam
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Gib
The Gib family was highly influential in the Dutch horological scene during the 18^th century. William Gib Senior (circa 1670 – 1739), born in England. He moved to Rotterdam and began working there in 1699. His workshop and home were located on the Vissersdijk (at the corner of the Blaak) in Rotterdam. He was a highly regarded maker of longcase (grandfather) clocks, bracket clocks and pocket watches. Between 1709 and 1735, he served multiple times as the head of the St. Eloi Gilde (the Guild of St. Eloi), which oversaw metalworkers and clockmakers.
William Gib Junior (1707 – circa 1780), the son of William Senior, followed in his father’s footsteps as a master watchmaker. By 1730, he would have been a young man (around age 23), likely working within the family business or establishing his own name.
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Brande en Swygen
The phrase “Brande en Swygen” (modern Dutch: Branden en Zwijgen) on a 1730’s pocket watch is a specific technical label for the striking/silent mechanism. It essentially functions as an “On/Off” switch for the watch’s chime or alarm.