Watch, Rousseau, Jean, 1660-1670
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1660-1670
Jean Rousseau (1606-84) was the son of a watchmaker and the father and grandfather of watchmakers. He was the great-grandfather of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the philospher (1712-78).
The latter said that a Genevan watchmaker 'is a man who can be introduced anywhere; a Parisian watchmaker is fit only to talk about watches' (quoted in Wikipedia entry on J.-J. Rousseau, 26.10.2010). Watch in silver case engraved on the reverse with oval vignettes of the Four Seasons within scrolling foliage. Around the band are vignettes representing the Four Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Gilt brass dial with subsidiary dials with silver rings and silver apertures.
The top aperture shows the name of the month, the number of days in the month, and the zodian symbol. The left dial shows the date. The right dial shows the age and the phase of the moon. The bottom dial shows the time in hours I-XII with aperture for days of the week. The top plate of the movement is engraved 'Jean Rousseau'.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Height: 5.7 cm; Width: 4.7 cm; Depth: 2.5 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Engraved silver with gilt brass
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Geneva
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- 'Jean Rousseau'
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O114506
- Museum object number
- 2374-1855
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.