Terroux (François

Terroux (François), A Geneva, circa 1690. Exceptionally fine and very rare gilt brass pair-cased single-hand early balance spring oignon watch. Outer: two-body, pierced for sound. Inner: two-body, "bas-sine" with deep back, band finely pierced and engraved with hunting scene, foliage background, polished back with winding apertures. Radial Roman chapter on white enamel car-touches set on gilt brass florally engraved ring, outer enamel quarter-hour ring, gilt brass engraved alarm disk in the center with long blued steel hour pointer. Blued steel "tulip" alarm setting hand. 39 mm, frosted gilt full plate, baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, 3-arm brass balance, trefoil silver cock, Tompion-type regulator with silver scale disc, steel alarm train driven from fixed pierced and engraved barrel, striking on both sides of Notes This is an exceptional example of a very early oignon watch, made shortly after the invention of the balance spring, and preserved in very good condition with silver cock and very elegant dial. François Terroux (1664-1743) The son of Gabriel, he was apprenticed to Jean-François Lachis in 1677 and became Master in 1684. Watches by him are known with cases and cocks enameled by master painters on enamel such as the Frères Huaud and Jean André. Dictionnaire des horlogers genevois, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, 1998.