French gilt brass octagonal single hand verge watch Circa 1620

French open faced verge watch
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A fine French, brass octagonal pre balance spring single handed, circa 1620. Perseus and Andromeda by Nicolas Forfaict, Paris. The front cover engraved with the three graces, the top engraved with the rapt of Europe, eight facets engraved with Hercules, a Nymph, a burning heart and scrolling, the back with Perseus coming to the rescue of Andromeda, who is chained to a rock, a sea monster emerging from the water, eight facets engraved with classical warriors, a winged cherub’s head, scrolling, the band silver over gilt brass engraved with winged Cherub’s heads and scrolling.
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Silver dial ring with Roman numerals applied to a gilt bronze octagonal plate engraved with Leda and the Swan at the top, a winged cherub’s head at the bottom centre with a rural scene, sides with scrolling. Single steel fleur de lis hand. Octagonal movement, full plate, turned baluster pillars, fusee and cat gut, short three wheel train with five leaf pinions, verge escapement, circular steel foliot, flat balance spring.
Signed on the movement.
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Dimensions: 52 x 30 mm
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Signed: Nicolas Forfaict  Paris
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The case is slightly rusted and the movement oxidized.
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Nicolas Forfaict The son of Nicolas, was born in 1576. He became master in 1606 and was juré from 1611 to 1613.