German single handed octagonal verge with hour strike Circa 1600

Brass and copper Renaissance watch by Nicholas Schmidt
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A rare and very large German brass and copper single handed octagonal Renaissance pocket watch with hour strike, circa 1600. Octagonal brass full plate movement with maker’s mark NS in a shield for Nikolaus Schmidt the Elder, two barrels, a verge escapement, lock washer with internal teeth, a hammer, stack freed and spoon rest with hog’s bristle adjustment. Later silver dial with Roman hours, a central engraved city view and an iron hand. The pierced and engraved case with remnants of fire gilding, the bottom lid with a later bell.
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Dimensions: 97 x 68 mm
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Weight: 421 g
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Signed: Nicholas Schmidt
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Nikolaus Schmidt the Elder was born in Wiltz, Luxembourg in 1549. In 1576, he became a master craftsman in Augsburg and married the daughter of the renowned watchmaker Hans Fronmüller. It is not clear when he died. It can be assumed that he died after 1625 but before 1629. His son, Nikolaus Schmidt the Younger, was also an important watchmaker. Several of his watches are on display in major museums around the world, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Historical Museum in Basel. Nikolaus Schmidt the Elder is listed by Jürgen Abeler.