French oval verge watch with compass and sundial Circa 1630

Silver and gilt verge with sundial and compass by Bergier
–
An extremely rare French silver and gilt-brass oval watch with a compass and additional sundial, circa 1630. Oval full plate fire gilt brass movement, gut and fusee, plain two-armed iron balance without balance spring, fine florally engraved, pierced balance cock. Fire-gilded brass dial lavishly engraved with entwined leaves, mythical birds and masks, silver chapter ring with Roman numerals and blued hand. The case band is lavishly engraved with mythological birds and entwined leaves, hinged base with a sundial and compass. Movement signed.
–
Dimensions: 67 x 36 mm
–
Weight: 103 g
–
Signed: A. Bergier à Lyon
–
According to Tardy, Abraham Berg(i)er was born in Geneva and married in Lyon. In 1597 he went to Grenoble and was appointed town clockmaker in 1612 as the successor of Laurent Grégoire. From 1624 to 1642 he was back working in Lyon.