9,200 CHF
German, circa 1640. Very rare miniature gilt brass and striated agate stackfreed watch. Two-body, "fermée type" with deep, curved-in edge, cut from a single piece of agate, the front en suite, bothmounted in gilt metal hinged frames engraved in repeated pattern, floral pendant, loose ring. Silver, oval,Roman numerals, center engraved with a bird and scrolling, outer with scrolling. Brass hand. Oval, 27.3 x 22mm, gilt brass full plate, Notes Miniaturization in horology began in the 14th century, when table clocks became so small that they could be carried. This, in course, led to watches, which in the beginning were actually small, wearable clocks. Their popularity grew very quickly. Once the fashion of wearing watches was established, makers rivaled with each other for their miniaturization. Only the best, of course, could fit all the necessary parts in a small area, but some succeeded beyond expectations. By 1518 watchmakers were able to make movements so small that they could be placed within the hilt of a dagger. Some such pieces were made for Francois I of France, for which he paid a small fortune. Approximately fifty years later a watch was placed in a ring for Elizabeth I of England; it also possessed a curious alarm system, which pricked the Queen gently in the finger (Breguet used this system in his alarm rings 250 years later). By the early 17th century, miniaturization was in full bloom. A German maker produced a small stackfreed watch with a movement measur
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-04-24
