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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pendant watch

South German pendant watch with sundial

Partially verified

This South German pendant watch, dated circa 1580, is constructed from fire-gilt brass and measures approximately 90 x 60 mm, with a weight of 251 g. The object features a highly ornate, pierced case and an oval bell integrated into the base. The reverse of the case depicts the Argonaut Jason holding the Golden Fleece. The lid displays a complex decorative program including trumpeting angels, monkeys, and dolphins. A centrally located, pierced secondary lid houses an internal horizontal sundial and a compass, though the compass is noted as a replacement. The watch incorporates a stackfreed to regulate spring force and utilizes a two-legged iron escapement without a hairspring. The fire-gilt brass dial includes dual hour scales and is decorated with engraved deer, winged figures, and floral elements, accompanied by a rotatable silver alarm disc and iron hands.

Exterior view of the fire-gilt brass pendant watch showing the pierced cover and the central secondary lid.
Exterior view of the fire-gilt brass pendant watch showing the pierced cover and the central secondary lid. — Cortrie Spezial Auktionen / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pendant watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
206729270
Source-reported date
c. 1580
Source-reported place
South German

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

Case and External Features

The watch case is crafted from fire-gilt brass and is characterized by extensive piercing throughout. The reverse side features a mythological scene depicting the Argonaut Jason with the Golden Fleece, framed by foliage and greyhounds.

The lid decoration is complex, featuring two angels blowing trumpets at the base, followed by a sequence of monkeys and dolphins, and culminating in a figure of an angel with outstretched arms at the top of the design.

Evidence for this section
  • “the entire case is pierced”
  • “The reverse of the case depicts a mythological scene: beneath a canopy stands the Argonaut Jason with the Golden Fleece”
  • “The lid is adorned with floral and figurative scenes: at the bottom are two angels blowing trumpets, above them are monkeys, followed by Renaissance-style dolphins, and the design is crowned at the top by an angel with outstretched arms.”

Movement and Regulation

The movement is designed with a stackfreed mechanism to manage and balance the spring force. The escapement is a two-legged iron type, which functions without a hairspring.

Movement speed is controlled by a regulating lever equipped with two escape pins fashioned from pig bristles. The inclusion of an integrated sundial provided a functional method to check and correct the mechanical gear-driven clock time under suitable lighting conditions.

Evidence for this section
  • “The stackfreed is used to balance the spring force.”
  • “The two-legged iron escapement (without a hairspring) is limited in its movement by a regulating lever with two escape pins made of pig bristles.”
  • “The enclosed sundial made it possible, under suitable conditions, to regulate the mechanical gear-driven clock and reset it correctly.”

Dial and Sundial Components

The fire-gilt brass dial is engraved with two distinct hour scales, one ranging from 1 to 12 and the other from 13 to 24. The dial border is decorated with engravings of deer, winged fantasy figures, and floral patterns.

A silver alarm disc is mounted at the center of the dial. Additionally, a secondary pierced lid reveals a horizontal sundial with an internal compass, though this compass is a replacement part. A thread for shadow casting is attached to the underside of this small lid.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial, made of fire-gilt brass, features two hour scales for 1 to 12 o’clock and 13 to 24 o’clock.”
  • “The rotatable silver alarm disc is mounted in the centre.”
  • “A further small lid, also pierced, is fitted in the centre (lid replaced at a later date); when opened, a horizontal sundial with a compass is visible (the compass is no longer original)”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific horological significance of the pig-bristle regulating pins in this specific region and period?
  • Are there similar South German pendant watches with identical case-piercing patterns in museum collections to assist in establishing a more precise maker or workshop attribution?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for South German pendant watch with sundial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Materialfire-gilt brass“fire-gilt brass”
Dimensions90 x 60 mm“90 × 60 mm”
OriginSouth German“South German”
Escapementtwo-legged iron escapement“two-legged iron escapement (without a hairspring)”
Sundialhorizontal sundial with compass“a horizontal sundial with a compass is visible”
Alarmrotatable silver alarm disc“The rotatable silver alarm disc is mounted in the centre.”

Visible details

  • The case exterior is fully pierced with intricate figurative and floral designs.
  • A small central lid on the watch face opens to reveal a horizontal sundial.
  • The movement employs an iron escapement regulated by a lever with pig-bristle escape pins.
  • The watch includes a rotatable silver alarm disc mounted centrally on the dial.

Research qualifications

  • The secondary lid covering the sundial is a later replacement.
  • The compass component within the sundial assembly is not original to the watch.

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

Consulted source

Clock, pendant watch, South German, c. 1580

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f7c8a98dcc

Terms in this record

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

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