Caillatre à Paris

Caillatre à Paris, circa 1790. Fine and very rare square gilt brass Louis XIV oignon watch. Double body, square, plain sides with moulded frames, loose-ring pendant and winding shutter. Gilt-brass plate with engraved scroll spandrels on a matted ground. White enamel dial with Roman numerals (hair line), quarter and half hour divisions and corded edge. Blued-steel single hand (later). Hinged gilt brass full plate with urn pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement with plain steel four-arm balance,and flat balance spring, irregular foot to the gilt brass pierced and engraved cock, Huygens slide regulator and silver barrel set-up indicator. Signed on the back plate. h1 very good condition. Dim. 62 x 62 mm. Notes Apparently no record exists of the maker of this unusual watch. A large family of watchmakers named Caillatre were established in Geneva and Denmark, and it is possible that this may be a relative. However, the style is totally French, although certain details, such as the form of the cock are unusual. It seems unlikely that the owner would have carried such a timepiece in his pocket, but it is certainly not a coachwatch. In any case it appears to be a unique survivor.