French pendant watch with sun dial and compass Circa 1620

Fire gilt brass oval verge watch by I. Ballard
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An early and rare, one handed French fire gilt brass oval pendant watch, circa 1620. Full plate oval movement with a gut/fusee, verge escapement, applied click work and a plain two armed iron balance without balance spring. Case with two hinged lids, sun dial and compass to the inside back, the back of the case itself decorated with applied silver leaves and flowers. Silver champlevé dial lavishly ornamented with birds, cornucopia and garlands, the motifs still stand out from the darker ground even after nearly 400 years. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 67 mm
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Weight: 133 g
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Signed: I. Ballard Bourges
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A beautiful pendant watch with a lively history.
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Both Tardy and Brian Loomes mention watchmaker I. Ballard as having worked in Bourges around 1600.