Baltazar Martinot II (l'aisné), the most illustrious amongst a large family of clock and watchmakers. Born in Rouen in 1636, the eldest son of Baltazar and Catherine Hubert. He was established in Paris before 1683, and died at Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1714.He held the titles of Horloger ordinaire to King Louis XII and the Council, and was also Horloger to the Queen, Arme of Austria, a title which he inherited upon the death of his fatherin- law, Pierre Belon, in 1665. At the time of the Edict of Mars in 1700, it was Baltazar who made the largest declaration of stock. In 1695, he organised, in company with Nicolas Gribelin (see lot 33), a lottery of watches etc. at Court, and supplied docks to the Dauphin, Louis XIV and many of the wealthy amongst the aristocracy. The bezel and band of the case are in gold, whilst the centre of the back is of gilt brass pinned into position. In view of the outstanding workmanship of the case, it seems unlikely that this combination would have been decided upon for reasons of economy. Several explanation present themselves, but the following seem most likely: that the use of a brass plate would add additional strength and stiffness to the mounting of the bell, therefore allowing for the best possible sounding. It is of course not possible to enamel on brass, and the richness of colours and quality of work would not be comparable if executed on copper. Alternatively, and perhaps more likely, is the Tact that there were restrictions and taxes on the use of gold, notably following the Edict of Mars, which obliged the clockmakers to make a declaration of their stocks, and indeed led to the seizure of unregisterd items in the immediate aftermath. The 3 portrait busts surrounding the band represent the Greek goddesses-Hera, Athena and Aphrodite- who were subject to the Judgement of Paris. Their depiction on the band is clearly related to the 'courting couple' depicted on the dial, the inferance being that the man has made his choice, and this would indicate that the watch was destined as a betrothal or marnage gift. It is one of the rarest and most exceptional oignons to have survived, not only on account of the quality of the gold and enamel work, but also for the outer case which represents the zenith of the art of pin-work decoration