Isaac Hasius Pocket Watch

Harleem was a major watchmaking center in the Netherlands at the time this early watch was made by Isaac Hasius in about 1685. Hasius (1669-1747) became free of the St. Luke's Corporation (where clockmakers belonged) in 1690 and was Master of the guild several times (Plomp). The watch is typical of the very high quality and intricate finishing that early Dutch watches are known for. It was acquired from Cogs & Pieces, a specialist dealer located in England. Although there were a series of wars between England and the Dutch Republic during the 17th century, it appears that the borders were fairly fluid when it came to trade and work, and some makers had shops in both countries. What we think of today as an "early English” looking watch was aesthetically  very similar to Dutch (and German) watches at this time. 

Circa 1685, gilt-brass verge and fusee movement signed Isaac Hasius, Haarlem in outward facing script. No serial number. Intricate pierced and engraved large balance table depicting foliage and flowers with an integrated swirl perhaps intended to highlight that the watch contains the latest technology, the balance spring that was invented by Christiaan Huygens about 10 years prior in 1675. 

The movement has four very fine and ornate pierced pillars and decorative fusee stop-work foot. Balance foot with no rimmed edge, an indication of an early watch. 

The foot is very unusually attached with 2 screws with the fusee winding arbor coming through at the neck. Early Fromanteel-signed watches have a similar design. The purpose of the two screws may have been to better control and adjust the tension on the balance.