German gunmetal double sided calendar watch Circa 1900

Very large watch with moon phase
–
A very large double sided calendar watch with moon phase, made by the court watchmaker J. Verhagen & C^O in Köln (Cologne), Germany circa 1900. The case of this watch was crafted from burnished iron and is glazed on both sides. The front enamel dial features an outer minutes and hour track with Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, a moon phase display in the center, steel hands and is marked “Calendrier Breveté, German Manufactury”. The back features the display of the date, day of the week, the month and day length and the numbered movement is fitted with a lever escapement.
The front dial is signed.
–
Diameter: 55 mm
–
Weight: 113 g
–
Signed: J. Verhagen & C^O
–
Verhagen
J. Verhagen & Co. (now known as J. Verhagen GmbH & Cie. KG) is one of the oldest watch and jewelry wholesalers and retailers in Germany, with a history in Köln (Cologne) spanning nearly 200 years. The company was founded in Cologne in 1826 by two brothers, Joseph and Johann Verhagen.

During the late 19^th century, the firm was recognised as a “German Manufactury,” producing high quality mechanical timepieces. A notable example from circa 1890 is a double-sided silver calendar pocket watch featuring a moon phase aperture and automatic date changes.
The title of Court Watchmaker (Hofuhrmacher) was primarily associated with the height of J. Verhagen & Co.’s manufacturing prestige, spanning from the late 19^th century through the early 20th century (approximately 1880–1915).

Their production of watches was stopped early in the 20^th century and today, the company operates primarily as a wholesale distributor and retailer for other high quality watch and jewellery brands.