Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 232

Jean Rousseau, le Jeune, Geneva, circa 1660. Very fine and rare gilt metal and rock crystal crucifix watch.

CHF 70,000 - 90,000

EUR 47,000 - 60,000 / USD 55,000 - 70,000

C. Gilt brass two piece frame engraved with delicate foliage and hatchwork. Hinged faceted rock crystal cover and back, loose-ring pendant and button finial. D. Silver with radial Roman numerals, the center engraved with a view of a small village. Gilt brass dial plate engraved with a scene of the Crucifixion and the various tools related to the Passion. Blued steel single hand. M. Hinged cross-shaped gilt brass full plate with urn pillars, fusee with gut line, three-wheel train, verge escapemet, two-arm steel balance without spring, irregular oval foliage pierced and engraved cock secured by a screw, blued steel worm-and-wheel set-up.Signed on the back plate.Dim. 61 x 33 mm. (excluding ring).


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Jean Rousseau I, 1580-1642 Maître horloger, he specialized in form watches, notably animals and birds and crucifix watches. Rousseau had five daughters and seven sons, several of whom followed him into the watchmaking trade. A very similar watch is in the British Museum inv. 74,7-18,28, and illustrated by Catherine Cardinal, in "La Montre des origines au XIXe siècle", Fribourg, 1985, p. 32, pl. 16. Jean Rousseau le Jeune, 1606-1684 The son of Jean Rousseau I, he was the great-grandfather of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He worked in Geneva, where he was known for his high-quality watches. He made several form watches as well as complicated pieces such as clockwatches, alarm watches and astronomical watches. Master of the Clockmakers' Company of Geneva, he taught several apprentices: Isaac Bordier and Ypollite oël in 1631, Jean-François Lachis in 1644, Pierre Bérard in 1649, Antoine Garnier in 1652, Jean Blancher and médée Marchand in 1659.