French gilt brass oignon watch with quarter repeater Circa 1690

Gilt early repeating verge watch with mock pendulum
–
An early quarter repeating oignon pocket watch with mock pendulum made by André Sebille in Paris, France, circa 1690. The open faced case of this watch, crafted from gilded brass, has sound openings and is covered with leather or shagreen, a large part of the gold nail decoration is still present and it has a bell. The gilt dial features blue Roman hours and outer black Arabic five minute numerals in white enamel cartouches, chased foliate ornaments in the center and blued poker & beetle hands. The extremely fine movement is fitted with a verge escapement, mock pendulum, particularly beautiful bridge decorated with mythical creatures and an hours and quarter hour repeater.
The movement is signed.
–
Diameter: 58 mm
–
Weight: 191 g
–
Signed: Sebille Paris
–
Sebille
André Sebille was a watchmaker in Paris, located on Rue de la Calandre. He was married to Charlotte Lemoyne, the sister of watchmaker Claude François Lemoyne on Rue de la Huchette. From 1702, he took Lejay on as an apprentice. André Sebille is still mentioned in the archives in 1709.
–
Mock pendulum
A mock pendulum is a small non functional bob or disc of metal attached to the pallets of a clock or watch having a verge escapement, which is seen through a slit in the dial (also called false bob).