The style of the case, like the fine dials of this watch are characteristic of the end of the reign of Louis XVI. However, the fact that the decimal dial is covered by the back of the case indicates that it is one of the very first watches made using this system and carrying the revolutionary calendar. The decree of the Convention of 4 Frimaire year II (24 November 1793) made use of the decimal hour and the revolutionary calendar obligatory, and there was therefore no reason why, after this date, watches made with a decimal dial should bide it. Moreover it is known that even before the l a ' was voted by the Convention, certain leading figures of the regime and some scientists, had acquired decimal watches. Thus as early as 27 January 1792 Louis Berthoud had sketched the design of a decimal marine watch for the Chevalier de Borda one of the leading geometers of the period. Similarly, on 1 May 1792, the same maker received an accourt of 500 livres from Cassini, Director of the Paris Observatory, for a decimal astronomical regulator. It is thus perfectly possible that he watch offered here could have belonged to the 'friend of the people', before he was assassinated on 3 July 1793, i.e. four months before the adoption of the decree by the Convention. Doubtless it was presented to the celebrated revolutionary by his supporters. The decimal dial having no purpose other than to test the proposed nei ' hour system, had thus no reason to be visible. This hypothesis is reinforced by the fact that the inscription 'J...P...Marat' is placed in the position habitually reserved for the maker's signature. There is no record of a clockmaker called Marat whose initiais are J.P. Moreover the initiais were followed by three dots, a typically masonic way of writing initiais. Marat was a free-mason. It therefore seems very possible that this watch was presented to him by the 'brothers' who judged it discreet to place the inscription on the hidden face. The signature of the maker would certainly have been placed on the dial that was visible. The fine hands, too luxurious for a silver watch of this type, may be explained by the fact that Marat's mistress, Simone Evrard, like his sister Albertine, both made watch hands for Breguet. One or other of them could well have made the hands which decorate this watch to please him.