German. A fine and exceptionally rare pre-balance spring single-hand pendant watch in a carved Heliotrope case - circa 1640

Gilt brass full plate movement with turned pillars, fusee and chain, 4-wheel train, verge escapement, irregular off set screwed balance cock pierced and engraved with a floral pattern, steel two arm balance without spring, hog’s bristle mounted on adjustable pivoted lever, screwed on potence, silver dial with radial Roman numerals and centrally engraved with a village scene with a pond in the foreground, polished gilt brass dial plate with plain edge, gilt "fleur-de-lys" hand, hinged cover with gilt scalloped edge and beautifully carved heliotrope front, loose-ring pendant and turned and engraved button finial, the case carved from a single piece of Heliotrope with a cut radiating design 30mm x 43mm. Sold for £19,000 plus Premium and tax

Note: In the early 17th century watches like this were very rare and very few have survived in such good condition as this. Watches from this period are normally cased in silver, or rarer still rock crystal; it is extremely rare to have a case made from Heliotrope and to the best of our knowledge the first example to appear at auction in recent times

Provenance: This watch had remained in the current vendor’s family for the last 70 years.

Bonhams. Fine Watches and Wristwatches, 13 Dec 2007. New Bond Street