French silver pair-cased verge watch with alarm Circa 1700

Silver single-hand Oignon watch
–
A very fine, silver oignon French watch with single hand and alarm by L. De Lepee, a Paris, circa 1700. Polished with pierced bezels for sound, a gilt brass band beneath the dial pierced and engraved with foliage and exotic birds, square hinge, loose ring pendant. White enamel dial, bold Roman numerals on raised cartouches, inner quarter-hour ring, winding apertures at 4 and 9, centre with silver alarm disc with Arabic numerals and steel fleur-de-lis pointer indicating hours, blued steel alarm setting hand.

Hinged, fire-gilded full plate movement with divided Egyptian pillars with fluted silver tops, fusee and chain, verge escapement with steel balance and short balance spring, cock pierced and engraved with scrolls and birds, rack type regulator with silver regulation disc and foliate silver feet, alarm with fixed engraved barrel and steel train, striking on a bell with both sides of a double-ended hammer. Movement signed.
–
Diameter: 58 mm
–
Signed: L. De Lepee  Paris
–
It is unusual to find an oignon watch with a silver case and a cartouche enamel dial in such good condition.