Historically important Dutch oval watch with alarm Circa 1640

Silver oval verge watch by Jan Janzs. Bockels
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A historically important Dutch silver oval verge pocket watch with alarm, circa 1640. Oval full plate fire gilded brass movement, gut string and fusee, an openwork and florally decorated barrel for the alarm, a later locking disk, one hammer, three arm steel balance, a replaced balance cock. A silver oval dial with radial Roman hours, an outer ring with twelve buttons for reading the time at night, a later central alarm clock disc, finely engraved tendrils and a grotesque mask, a single hand. The silver oval case with a pierced band, engraved leaf tendril decoration, a central pierced rosette and two winding holes with a clasp on the back, a later bottom bell for the alarm. Dial inscribed Oliver Cromwell 1648, movement signed by the watchmaker. Comes with a transport case covered with shagreen.
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Dimensions: 50 x 68 mm
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Weight: 219 g
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Signed: Bockels
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The inscription Oliver Cromwell 1648 on the dial was probably commissioned by one of Cromwell’s admirers. The owner of this timepiece probably wanted the date to refer to the Battle of Preston (17 August to 19 August 1648), which ended with a victory for Oliver Cromwell’s troops over the Royalists and the Scots led by the Duke of Hamilton. The Parliamentarians’ victory heralded the end of the Second English Civil War. Despite the technical changes, this is a historic and interesting watch.
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The dial, case and movement are mainly 17th century, with the dial likely showing alterations including the name Oliver Cromwell in 1648. It cannot be said with certainty whether the dial is original as the bezel and upper lid now have pierced pin holes that have been altered. The clock probably originally had either a solid or an openwork silver cover to make the sound of the alarm clock audible. Changes were also made to the movement, the balance cock and locking disk are more recent. The lock plate now covers the maker’s name and has several unclear holes.
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Watchmaker Jan Jansz. Bockels was active in The Hague between 1610 and 1640. His clocks are now in private collections and museums, such as the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam or the British Museum in London.