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Lot 216
German. A highly unusual agate and gilt-metal verge watch with stackfreed
UNSIGNED, CIRCA 1640
Closed12 May 2014
Price Realised
CHF 10,625
More Information
Specialist note
The present watch is distinguished by its unusual case, cut from a single piece of agate and hollowed in order to fit the movement.
Presumably made in Germany, its movement employs a stackfreed, a simple spring-loaded cam mechanism used in some of the earliest antique spring-driven watches to even out the force of the mainspring and to improve timekeeping accuracy. Stackfreeds were predominantly used in clocks and watches made in Germany from the 16th to the 17th century, before they were replaced in later timepieces by the fusée. The term may have been derived from the German expressions "stark" for strong and "Feder" for spring.
Until the 19th century, the most important agate deposits were found around Idar-Oberstein in Germany, region famous for its skillful stone carvers and jewelers.
Presumably made in Germany, its movement employs a stackfreed, a simple spring-loaded cam mechanism used in some of the earliest antique spring-driven watches to even out the force of the mainspring and to improve timekeeping accuracy. Stackfreeds were predominantly used in clocks and watches made in Germany from the 16th to the 17th century, before they were replaced in later timepieces by the fusée. The term may have been derived from the German expressions "stark" for strong and "Feder" for spring.
Until the 19th century, the most important agate deposits were found around Idar-Oberstein in Germany, region famous for its skillful stone carvers and jewelers.