The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 2

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

CHF 0 - 0

Sold: CHF 99,156

C. Gilt brass two piece frame engraved with delicate foliage and hatch-work. Hinged faceted rock crystal cover and back, loose-ring pendant and button finial. D. Silver with Roman numerals, the centre engraved with the 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 escapement, to-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.Dims. 61 x 33 mm. (excluding ring).Accompanied by a later velvet lined and covered fitted box.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 14
Movement: * 4 - 6
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Jean Rousseau, le Jeune, (1606-1684)Jean-Jacques Rousseau's great-grandfather, worked in Geneva where he was famous for high quality watches. He made several form watches, but also complicated watches such as clock-watches, alarm-watches and astronomical watches. Masterof the Clockmakers Company of Geneva, he formed several apprentices: Isaac Bordier, son of Jacques I and Ypollite Noël, in 1631, Jean-François Lachis in 1644, Pierre Bérard in 1649, Antoine Garnier in 1652, Jean Blancher and Amédée Marchand in 1659. He was the son of the famous Jean Rousseau I.Jean Rousseau I, (1580-1642)Maître horloger, he specialised 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 kept in the collection of 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.