This watch is certainly the work of Nicolas Gribelin, son of Abraham, and grandson of Simon. Born in Blois in 1637, he was received as master at faubourg Saint-Germain-des-Pres circa 1660, and in Paris on 5 June 1675. He was Garde Visiteur from 1676-1678 and 1684-1686, and Clockmaker to Monsieur le Dauphin before 1674. Established in the rue de Bussy in 1682. With Baltazar Martinot II, he organised a grand lottery of clocks etc at Court in 1695, and also worked with l'Abbé Hauteville with a view to producing 8-day watches. He died in 1719. Nicolas Gribelin is recognised as one of the finest clock and watchmakers of the late 17th. century, and this rare and unusual watch bears testimony to his skill. The engraving of the case and the cock seems to be based on the designs for watchmakers published by Pierre Bourdon, and reproduced in E. Gelis, L'Horlogerie Ancienne, Griind, pl. 14. The piercing and engraving around the band is particularly delicate and detailed, finer indeed than watches half the size, as indeed are the sculptured and polished regulator brackets. It is also perhaps the largest 'oignon' in existence!