Swiss silver one-handed pre-balance spring watch Circa 1650

Decorative silver pocket watch by Charles Bobinet
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A Swiss one-handed pre-balance spring pendant watch fragment, circa 1650.
Brass case with engraved bezel and ring pendant. Silver dial with flower and bird decor on engraved centre, inlaid radial Roman hours, and blued single tulip hand. Signed full plate movement, keywind, fire gilt, gut/fusee, pierced flower pillars, applied blued pierced click work, verge escapement, plain two-arm steel balance without balance spring, and a florally pierced and engraved balance cock.
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Diameter: 39 mm
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Weight: 88 g
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Signed: Charles Bobinet, Geneva
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Charles Bobinet, Swiss watchmaker
Charles Bobinet was born around or after 1610. He was the son of Pierre Bobinet from Poitou, France. Pierre fled from France to Geneva after St. Bartholomew’s Night. Charles Bobinet married Françoise Adelhardt in July 1637 in Geneva. Daughter Pernette Bobinet (1649-1695) was born from this marriage. He was also based in Castelnaudary, Aude, France, for several years. Bobinet was the tutor of Jean Bastard in 1638, Vincent Perissel in 1639, Pierre Chenevière in 1654, François Chenevière in 1655 and Jacques Sullin in 1664.
Charles Bobinet died on September 15, 1674, in Geneva at the age of 56.
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A crucifix watch by Charles Bobinet was auctioned at Antiquorum on May 31, 2014, lot no. 27. He also signed his watches with Charles Bobinet Paris. The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection contains a round one-hand clock with an Agath case mounted in enamelled gold. The Historizes Museum Basel and the British Museum also have clocks with enamelled dials by Charles Bobinet in their collections.