Swiss single-handed oignon watch with alarm Circa 1675-1680

Silver oignon watch by Jean Rousseau
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A Swiss silver pair cased single-handed oignon pocket watch with alarm, circa 1675-1680. Early verge movement, early hairspring, decorated barrel, fire-gilt balance bridge. Silver dial with Roman hours, central brass alarm disc, iron hand. Both cases pierced, the outer case with various mythical creatures, grotesque face and castle view, the inner case also with mythical creatures and a grotesque face, additionally various animals, bell. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Weight: 200 g
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Signed: Jean Rousseau
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This piece was probably made at the end of the 17th century. Jean II Rousseau (1606-1684) came from a reputable Geneva watchmaking dynasty. Rousseau had 12 children, five of them learned the watchmaking craft. His great-grandson was the famous philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Rousseau made a number of important watches, including those in the form of a cross, a skull (Memento Mori) and astronomical watches. Today, many of Jean Rousseau’s watches are in important museums, such as the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.