Barthelemy Macé ler., son of Jean Macé who was an art dealer by trade. He began his apprenticeship in 1624, but switched master in 1627 to complete his term with De Burges, receiving his certificate in june 1630. Apparently his masterpiece did not comply with the statutory requirements, and he was forced to make another, delaying his eventual reception as a master until 1637. Soon after he married Marguerite, daughter of the late Michel Cuper, and became the brotherin- law of Isaac Gribelin, the enamel painter, who had married his wife's sister. Macé died in 1662, succeeded by his son, also named Barthelemy(for further details of his life see: E.Develle, Les Horlogers Blésois, Paris 1910). Amongst his surviving may be noted two watches with enamelled cases. This watch was fitted with a balance spring by Caudron à Paris, soon after its invention by Christian Huygens in 1675. The very fine cock, signed by Caudron, is pierced in such a way that the early short balance spring can be easily seen. The workmanship is of the highest standard, and no sign of the original cock fixing has been left to spoil the backplate. A small number of other top quality pieces were upgraded by Caudron in the same manner shortly after the invention of the balance spring. Such transformations are always signed by him on the cock.