English one-handed striking Renaissance clock watch Circa 1590

Silver verge watch by Bartholomew Newsam
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An English one-handed striking Renaissance clock watch of exceptional quality, circa 1590.
The timepiece features a full plate movement with a verge escapement and Master’s mark B*N. It is housed in a silver case adorned with intricate openwork engraving, including a detailed openwork design on the top that displays the hours. The gilt metal dial displays Roman radial hours and half-hour and quarter markers on the silver chapter ring. The central disc is also engraved, and the time is indicated by a single iron hand.
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Diameter: 89 mm
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Signed: B*N
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Bartholomew Newsam

Newsam carried on business in London as a clockmaker, apparently from Queen Elizabeth’s accession in 1558. He obtained from the crown a thirty years’ lease of premises in the Strand, near Somerset House, on 8 April 1565, and there he resided through life.
Newsam was skilled in his craft and was familiar with Sir Philip Sidney and other men of influence at court. About 1572, the post of Clock-master to the Queen was promised to him on the death of Nicholas Urseau (Ursiu, Veseau, or Orshowe). The latter had held the office under Queen Mary and was reappointed to it by Queen Elizabeth. Newsam succeeded to the office before 1582. On 4 June 1583, he received, under the privy seal dated 27 May previous, “32s. 8d. for mending of clockes” during the past year. With the post of clockmaker, he combined that of clock keeper; the two offices had been held by different persons in Queen Mary’s reign, and Newsam appears to have been the first Englishman appointed as clock keeper.
Bartholomew Newsam (died 1593) was a clockmaker to Queen Elizabeth I, probably born in York.
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Some later parts.