Swiss gilded bronze, rock crystal verge pendant watch Circa 1635

Remarkably pendant watch by Jaques Sermand
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A very fine and rare Swiss gilded bronze rock crystal single-handed pendant watch, circa 1620-1650. The watch has a gilt full plate movement and a rock crystal hinged lid, with a fusee, gut line, and verge escapement. Its silver dial has radial Roman hour numerals, inner dots, and a steel single hand. The centre of the dial features an engraved riverside scene with castles. The gilt bronze case is framed with a rock crystal hinged cover over the dial. Signed by Jaques Sermand, with his name on the movement as J Sermand.
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Dimensions: 44 x 35 mm
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Signed: J Sermand.
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Jacques (Jaques) Sermand comes from a French Huguenot family and was based in Geneva. He was born in Geneva in October 1595, the son of the watchmaker Henry Sermand. Sermand was Pierre Sermand’s brother and Jacques Sermand’s uncle. Jacques married Lucrèce Rousseau on September 7, 1619 in Geneva. Lucrèce was a daughter of Jean Rousseau senior and sister of Jean Rousseau . Two daughters were born from this marriage between Jacques and Lucrèce. Daughter Elisabeth married Abel Senebier, but she died shortly afterwards. Daughter Clermonde married Pierre Mussard, minister in the Church of Lyon, France and the French Church of London. Pierre Mussard was the son of the goldsmith Jean l’Ainé Mussard and family of Lydie Mussard, who was married to the watchmaker Jean Rousseau.
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Brother-in-law Jean Rousseau completed an apprenticeship as a watchmaker with him. Sermand made some very beautiful clocks in oval, star-shaped and octagonal cases and crucifix clocks in rock crystal cases. Sermand trained various other watchmakers. Robert Le Grand in 1623, Pierre Reboul in 1627, Claude Reboul in 1628, Isaac Penard in 1632, Jacques Joly in 1635, Amy Col(l)avin in 1639, Paul Fabbi in 1640, Alexandre Larrive in 1644, Pierre Dunant and Jean Dunant in 1645, and finally Thomas Ravaud in 1648.
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One of the last-mentioned clocks is described and illustrated in Scientific Instruments in Their Time. The small crucifix clock is signed by Sermand and was built in Geneva around 1640. The main case is made of rock crystal and decorated with gold and enamel applications. Above all, this enamel art, driven to perfection, makes the watch unique. The actual movement of the watch is only 24 × 34 mm in size and consists of two plates between which the drum, strap, fusee and balance rest.
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Sermand signed some watches “J. Sermand à Paris”.