ABRAHAM PATTEY, SILVER AND FISHSKIN OPENFACE PAIR CASED SINGLE-HAND KEYWOUND VERGE WATCH WITH CALENDAR

This rare single-handed watch was made in the last two decades of the 17th century, after the invention of the balance spring in 1675 but before the minute hand had been fully adopted. Furthermore, the present watch has the rare feature of a date calendar with revolving pointer.

The movement, signed ‘Pattey London’ is finely finished with small-footed balance cock secured by a screw. The almost certainly original cases comprise a plain silver inner case with loose ring pendant, the outer case is overlaid with fishskin, the back is set with a finely chased circular silver panel depicting a figure in profile sounding the horn within foliage with a stag hunt in progress.

Abraham Pattey (1627-1702)
Of Swiss origin, Pattey was evidently a fine maker. Another watch by Abraham Pattey with astronomical functions is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.