25,300 CHF
J(ea)n and J(acque)s Rousseau, Geneva, circa 1640. Very fine and rare silver pre balance spring one-hand watch. Two-body, bassine type with inward-curving edges, entirely fluted including the hinged bezel, small rosette in the center of the back, tulip-shaped pendant, loose ring. Silver chapter ring with Roman numerals and half-hour dot divisions applied on gilt metal engraved plate, the center with a town scene, the outside with floral engraving, single blued steel hand. 30.1 mm., gilt, full plate, turned baluster pillars, short four-wheel train with five-leaf pinions, fusee and gut-line, vergeescapement, bronze balance without a spring, long gilt one-footed cock secured by a screw but still with a pinning block, pierced and engraved with foliage, ratchet wheel and click set-up, the hand driven directly (via the hour wheel) from a four-leaf lantern pinion mounted on the extension of the fusee arbor.Signed on the movement.Diam. 35 mm.Published in the Sandberg book, pp. 58-59. Notes Rousseau It is often difficult to date watches signed "J. Rousseau, Genève", for the Rousseau dynasty of watchmakers had many members who were very active in the second and third quarters of the 17th century. The oldest, Jean 1580-1642, a master watchmaker and the great-grandfather of Jean-Jacques, the philosopher, had seven sons and five daughters, among them Jean le Jeune 1606-1684, David 1641-1738, and Jaques, all master watchmakers. What distinguishes the present lot from others is the
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-06-14
