Dutch 20 Carat gold repeater of outstanding quality Circa 1710

Gold pair cased quarter repeating verge watch
–
A 20 Carat gold Dutch pair cased verge watch of outstanding quality and very early a toc et a tact repeater, important watchmaker Fromanteel & Clarke, Amsterdam/London, circa 1710.
The outer case of excellent quality, very rare design, representation of four cartouches with young ladies, shells, flower tendrils and birds in high relief, finely pierced, in excellent condition, inner case also pierced, fantastic quality and very detailed worked, showing different birds, a grotesque face, bell, dome, very early Dutch verge movement with dust cover, repeating the hours and quarters, verge cock with a shell, typical for the time 1690-1700, round pillars, signed plate, later enamel dial from around 1760, gilt hands, in very good condition.

The watch is an extremely high-quality Dutch collector’s watch. Originally equipped with a 22 Carat gold dial. The watch was later equipped around 1760 with a more modern, than typical enamel dial. Fromanteel & Clarke is one of Amsterdam and London’s most important manufacturers of high quality pocket watches around 1700. The case of this watch is an absolute exceptional quality and is fortunately in fantastic condition. Most well-known pocket watches of this manufacturer have gilt cases or silver cases. They are extremely rare in 20K gold.
–
Diameter: 51 mm
–
Weight: 133 g
–
Signed: Fromanteel & Clarke Amsterdam (London)
–
Fromanteel & Clarke watches can be found in major collections and museums such as the City of London Museum, the London Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

Around 1695 this partnership is between the father Ahasuerus II Fromanteel and son-in-law Christopher Clarke established and settled at the Vijgendam) in the centre of Amsterdam. Most timepieces have both their signature and do not have the name of the city, making it not clear whether the timepieces are in London or Amsterdam made. There was frequent contact between England and the Netherlands is beyond dispute. In 1703 Ahasuerus II died at the age of 63.
The company name is after the death of Ahasuerus II in 1703 maintained until 1722. Then Christopher Clarke went to collaborate with the important Amsterdam watchmaker Roger Dunster (1695-1747) under the name
“Clarke and Dunster”. 

Fromanteel & Clarke Amsterdam (not London). Prob. a partnership of Ahasuerus II 8c Christopher Clarke, his son-in-law. Believed terminated in 1703 when Ahasuerus died. Clarke later partnered with Roger Dunster. Period C.1694-C. 1722. Some items are signed London.
–
Reference 0061000