Swiss early single hand oignon pocket watch Circa 1690

Gold verge watch
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A very early single handed oignon pocket watch made by Lazare Arlaud in Genève, Switzerland, circa  1690. The case of this watch is particularly beautiful, richly decorated with depictions of various animals and it has a gilt interior. The gold dial features white enamel cartouches with blue Arabic hour numerals and a single iron hand. The movement is fitted with a verge escapement, particularly fine balance bridge, decorated with birds, and an early regulating scale.
The movement is signed.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Weight: 159 g
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Signed: Lazare Arlaud à Genève
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Oignon watches with gold dials are extremely rare. To our knowledge, fewer than ten examples are known to exist.
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Arlaud
The Arlaud family was a highly respected dynasty of watchmakers in Geneva, credited with helping establish the city’s global reputation for horological excellence starting in the early 17^th century. By the early 1700s, the family’s most prominent members had transitioned from watchmaking to portrait and miniature painting.

Jacques-Antoine Arlaud (1668–1743) became a world renowned artist, effectively ending the family’s identity as master watchmakers in favour of the prestigious European art world.

The Arlaud family was recorded working in Geneva as from 1617.