Nicolas Gribelin à Paris

Nicolas Gribelin à Paris, circa 1660. Extremely rare and fine steel and gold, pair cased, square pre-balance spring watch. Double body outer leather covered with elaborate gold pin work decoration with a crowned monogram on the back. Inner double body made of steel with gold inlaid decoration, the back with a cherub by the altar of love below the inscription Mon coeur bat. Tulip shaped pendant. White enamel with Roman numerals, foliage decoration on the corners, the centre of green translucent enamel over engine-turning. Blued steel single hand. Hinged gilt brass full plate with urn pillars, fusee with gut line, verge escapement with plain steel two-arm balance without spring, gilt brass florally pierced irregular cock secured by a screw, worm and wheel set-up with elaborate blued steel bracket. In very good condition. Dim. 35 x 35 mm. Notes Square watches are already extremely rare until the Art-Deco style, even more so when made of steel. h1 fact, the only example known to date is a square oignon in the Museum of Rouen. The pin work is a typical decoration of the period, it \vas usually employed for monogram and crest and for decoration in a floral pattern such as in the watch by Carnot (Lot No. 18). It vas mainly used during the reign of Louis XII and Louis XIV. Gold inlaid decoration on steel was a very difficult technique mainly used by craftsmen specialised in the decoration of gons and weapons for important personalities. Only very few watches of steel, with inl