Glaesner a Lyon

Glaesner a Lyon, No. 1092, circa 1785. Fine and highly unusual silver, oval, half skeletonised calendar watch. Later custom made with reeded band and glazed back. White enamel with radial Arabic numerals, outer Arabic minute ring and inner calendar ring. Gold skeleton hands. Hinged oval gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, the back plate fully pierced and engraved with floral and foliage decoration, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock pierced .and engraved with the letters: "G.L.A.E.S.N.E.R.", polished steel end-piece. Signed on the dial and back plate. Dim. 64 x 47 mm. Notes The movement of this watch was certainly originally made for a special purpose; its shape and the fact that the back plate is skeletonised suggest that it was made to be seen, on the lid of a casket for instance. Glaesner worked in Lyon (France) where his workshop was Place du Theatre. Several very fine clocks bearing his signature are known to exist. He failed in an attempt with Prudhomme in 1783, to establish in Lyon a factory of blank watch movements. During the siege of Lyon, he was jailed for his political opinions and his workshop was looted. When he made a new attempt to work again, the Gomite de Salut Public sent him to Paris in a reformatory workshop. In 1795, he produced a report which supported the recruitment of 20'000 women for the production of watch ehauches. He was introduced to Lemaire who Read more…