Rare Dutch astronomical gilt clock watch with sundial Circa 1605

Gilded brass oval clock watch by Jan Jansen Bockeltz
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An extremely rare Dutch gilt-brass oval astronomical clock watch with additional sundial, circa 1605-1610. This exquisite watch features a stunning internal movement, crafted from openwork gilded brass, partly blued steel, and silver. The balance cock is expertly engraved with a beautiful floral design, and the watch also boasts a precise verge escapement. The gilded brass, silver and copper front dial plate is adorned with intricate engravings depicting the four seasons, inspired by renowned Flemish artist Maarten de Vos, the Elder. The centre dial displays hours and minutes in Roman and Arabic numerals, while three additional engraved dials showcase the date, month, and moon phases. The oval-shaped gilded brass case is equally impressive, with elegant engravings on the front and pierced designs on the back.
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Dimensions: 89 x 62 x 59 mm
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Signed: Jan·Jansen·Bockeltz
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The skilled Dutch watchmaker, Jan Jansen Bockeltz, crafted this timepiece, who was active from around 1590 until his passing in 1626. The watch bears his signature, beautifully engraved on the cover, which reads Ian · Iansen Bockels·INVE / ET SCVLP. Additionally, the back plate features the engraving Ian·Iansen·Bockeltz / Van Aecken.
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The Bockeltz clock watch, most likely made in Aachen or Haarlem, was designed to be admired from every angle. Taken together, the front and back of the watch perform the traditional dichotomy between the sensorial world of human perception and the invisible clockwork mechanisms understood to regulate a universe in terms of increasingly mechanistic natural philosophy. NA