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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Astronomical pair-cased verge watch

Louys Prevost gilt-metal pair cased astronomical verge watch

Partially verified

This circa 1700 astronomical verge pocket watch signed Louys Prevost features a pair-cased gilt-metal housing. The dial features a stippled gilded plate inset with three silver chapter rings indicating moon age with a moon phase aperture, calendar date, and time with Roman numerals and half-hour marks. Three intervening apertures provide displays for the day of the week with an astrological symbol, month details, and periods of the day with changing sky depictions. The auction house reports a gilded full-plate movement equipped with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, and a verge escapement, measuring 57 mm across the outer case.

Front view of the gilt-metal astronomical verge watch showing the stippled dial, silver subsidiary rings, and aperture displays
Front view of the gilt-metal astronomical verge watch showing the stippled dial, silver subsidiary rings, and aperture displays — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Pocket watch · Astronomical pair-cased verge watch
Maker / attribution
Louys Prevost
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1308
Source-reported date
Circa 1700
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial Arrangement and Astronomical Indications

Visual observation of the watch shows three circular silver chapter rings set into a textured yellow-gilt plate, fitted with blued steel single hands. According to the catalogue description, these subsidiary dials indicate the date, the time using Roman numerals and half-hour divisions, and the moon's age alongside an aperture for moon phases.

Three distinct curved and shaped apertures are positioned between the subsidiary dials. The source specifies that these display the days of the week with corresponding astrological signs, the months with their lengths and an engraved seasonal vignette, and the periods of the day depicting a changing sky.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three silver circular dials arranged across a textured yellow-gilt plate with blued steel single hands”
  • “Dial: gilded with stippled ground, three silver chapter rings for date, time with Roman numerals and half hour divisions and moon age incorporating aperture for moon phases”
  • “Three distinct curved and shaped apertures between the dials displaying astronomical and calendar indications”
  • “three further apertures for days of the week with corresponding astrological sign, months with their lengths and an engraved seasonal vignette, and periods of the day with the changing sky”

Case Construction and Ornamentation

The timepiece features a pair-cased gilt-metal housing. The cataloguer notes a plain gilt-metal inner case measuring 49 mm in diameter, equipped with a split-bezel for glass retention and a rear aperture for winding.

The outer case measures 57 mm in diameter and includes a square hinge. While the visible outer bezel exhibits chased or engraved floral and scrolling motifs, the catalogue adds that the outer case is engraved with scrolls, flowers, and an urn at the centre.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: plain gilt-metal inner case, split-bezel for glass retention, aperture for winding to back, gilt-metal outer with square hinge, decoratively engraved with scrolls and flowers, an urn to the centre”
  • “Outer metal bezel featuring finely chased or engraved floral and scrolling motifs”
  • “diameter of outer case 57mm, inner 49mm”

Movement Specifications and Maker Attribution

The movement is not visible in the provided reference photograph and is described from the auction house description. Sotheby's reports a gilded full-plate calibre signed 'Louys Prevost', fitted with Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, a verge escapement, a three-arm flat steel balance, a short steel balance spring of two turns, a silver regulation plate, and a decoratively pierced winged balance cock and foot with scrolling flowers and foliage.

The watch is dated by the auction house to circa 1700. The catalogue notes that at least two watchmakers named Louis Prevost are recorded around the late 17th and early 18th centuries: one originating from Saumur, France, active from 1660 who later emigrated to Geneva, and another recorded working in Geneva during the first quarter of the 18th century, whom the catalogue considers more likely to be the maker.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, three-arm flat steel balance, short steel balance spring of two turns, decoratively pierced winged balance cock and foot with scrolling flowers and foliage, silver regulation plate, fusee and chain, Egyptian pillars, signed Louys Prevost”
  • “Circa 1700”
  • “At least two watchmakers by the name of Louis Prevost are recorded as working towards the last part of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries.”
  • “One originating from Saumur in France was active from 1660 and later emigrated to Geneva; it is likely that the maker of this watch is, however, another Louis Prevost recorded as working in Geneva during the first quarter of the 18th century”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker's marks, serial numbers, or casemaker stamps recorded inside either the inner or outer gilt-metal cases?
  • Does historical archival documentation in Geneva provide further biographical or work details distinguishing the Saumur-born Louis Prevost from the 18th-century Louis Prevost?
  • How does the under-dial astronomical work compare mechanically to similar period watches signed by Bareiht Menadier or Robinson and Fredman mentioned in the catalogue note?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Louys Prevost gilt-metal pair cased astronomical verge watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementVerge escapement“Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement”
Movement signatureLouys Prevost“signed Louys Prevost”
PillarsEgyptian pillars“Egyptian pillars”
Outer case diameter57mm“diameter of outer case 57mm”
Inner case diameter49mm“inner 49mm”
BalanceThree-arm flat steel balance with short steel balance spring of two turns“three-arm flat steel balance, short steel balance spring of two turns”
Balance cockDecoratively pierced winged balance cock and foot with scrolling flowers and foliage“decoratively pierced winged balance cock and foot with scrolling flowers and foliage”
LiteratureR. Chadwick, A Voyage Through Time, London: Unicorn, 2020, pp. 28-29“Literature R. Chadwick, A Voyage Through Time, London: Unicorn, 2020, pp. 28-29.”

Visible details

  • Three silver circular dials arranged across a textured yellow-gilt plate with blued steel single hands
  • Three distinct curved and shaped apertures between the dials displaying astronomical and calendar indications
  • Outer metal bezel featuring finely chased or engraved floral and scrolling motifs

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back are not visible in the provided photograph
  • Maker attribution refers to two historical Geneva-associated watchmakers named Louis Prevost without definitive distinction

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Louys Prevost | A gilt-metal pair cased astronomical verge watch with

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 51374618fb

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.