241 - Pieter Hues fecit - Puritan Watch

Pieter Hues fecit - Puritan Watch An important, Puritan-style, oval, pre-balance-spring pendant watch with a single hand Dimensions: 42 x 64 mm, circa 1630, Weight: 113 g, Origin: Germany/England Case: Bronze, fire-gilt, smooth. Dial: Bronze, silver, fire-gilt, richly engraved with flowers, foliage scrolls, and a cherub’s head; applied silver chapter ring with Roman numerals; engraved city view of London Bridge and surroundings in the center; single iron hand. Movement: Oval full-plate movement, gut/fusee, verge escapement, applied click work, plain two-arm iron balance without a balance spring. So-called “Puritan watches” were manufactured in London in the mid-17th century as “plain” watches without any decorative embellishments. The Puritan movement reached its peak of influence during the 17th century. In 1640, Oliver Cromwell became a member of the Long Parliament and a leader of the opposition against King Charles I and the absolute monarchy. The conflict escalated into the English Civil War, in which Cromwell commanded the parliamentary forces and led them against the royal army. Eventually, the Puritan army emerged victorious, though not without frequently plundering the countryside and churches. King Charles I was tried on a charge of treason and executed; Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector, effectively presiding over a military dictatorship. However, the Puritans’ intolerance was extremely unpopular among the people, and after Cromwell’s death in 1658, the monarchy was restored—King Charles II came to power. Provenance: Kegelmann Auction House, Frankfurt, Timepieces XIV auction on November 12, 1977, lot no. 303. In private hands ever since. According to Jürgen Abeler’s records, watchmaker Pieter Hues of Augsburg created a pocket watch in 1680, which is now housed in the Württemberg State Museum in Stuttgart. Baillie’s *Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World* lists Pieter Hues (or Pierry Hue) as living in Augsburg in 1600. In 1632, he was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company in London; in 1652, he is again recorded as a member of the company. Case: very good, worn, scuffed. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended.