Swiss gilt single handed quality oignon watch with alarm Circa 1705

Fire gilded verge pocket watch
–
A Geneva single handed quality oignon pocket watch with alarm made by Marchand in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1705. The original, open faced case of this impressive, complicated pocket watch is pierced with sound openings, has an alarm on a bell and shows traces of former fire gilding. The face has a dial showing white enamel cartouches with black Arabic hour numerals, a silver alarm disc in the center and a single hand. The movement has a magnificent Geneva verge escapement, a large balance, an early hairspring, a high and steep fusee and an engraved barrel.
–
Diameter: 56 mm
–
Weight: 207 g
–
Signed: Marchand à Genève
–
Although most single handed oignon watches were made before 1700, this piece was probably made between 1700 and 1710.
–
Abraham Marchand (1681-1753) was the son of Charles Marchand and Philippe Cusin. He came from a well known Geneva watchmaking family. A comparable watch by this maker, originally from the Beyer collection, was auctioned in Geneva for an outstanding price.