Lot 81

Isaac Thuret

An exceptionally rare and very fine, one-handed Parisian Louis XIV "oignon" verge pocket watch with alarm in a silver outer case, embossed leather-covered transport case and contemporary winding key

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The silver case is open-worked around the edge and ornamented with exquisitely engraved foliage and acanthus scrolls. The back is polished and holds the bell for the alarm. The Roman hours are blue on white enamel and time is indicated with a spade hand. The magnificent firegilt full plate movement features Egyptian pillars and an impressively large Louis XIV-style balance bridge with exquisite foliage scrolls; the ornamentation matches the motif on the outside of the case. The alarm mechanism sits in a barrel, finely decorated with fine acanthus scrolls.

Isaac Thuret (1649-1706) was one of the most important French makers. In 1684 Thuret became Horloger du Roi (Louis XIV) and Horloger de l'Observatoire de Paris and in 1686 was established in the Galeries du Louvre. He maintained the clocks in the Fontainebleau Palace and between 1689 and 1694 also looked after the clocks in the Paris oberservatory and of the Académie des Sciences. On January 22, 1675, he made a watch with the first balance spring for Huygens, pretending it to be his own invention. Later he apologized for this to Huygens. Thuret also made clocks with verge escapement, cycloidal cheeks and seconds-pendulum for Huygens, one of which is preserved in the Museum Boerhaave in Leiden, He also made a great number of "religieuses".
Lit.: H.B. Vehmeyer "Clocks their origin and development 1320-1880", vol II, Wilsele 2004, page 994.