French silver open faced oignon watch with alarm Circa 1685

Silver oignon verge with alarm by Antoine Masson
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A unique French silver open faced oignon watch with alarm, circa 1685. Early French gilt movement with alarm clock, engraved barrel, bridge cock decorated with birds of paradise, squirrels and mythical creatures, blued screws. White namel dial with gilded centred alarm clock, blued hands, unusual winding through the dial with negative square, matching original key. Very fine case with pierced foliage sound apertures, bronze bell and coat of arms engraved tot the back. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Weight: 192 g
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Signed: Masson à Paris
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Antoine Masson, was a French Huguenot, active in Dijon from 1630 to 1685. From 1685 he worked in Paris, moved from the Bastille to Versailles in 1686. In 1687 he flees to Geneva, where he receives his residence permit in 1692.
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Literature: Tardy, Dictionnaire des horlogers Français and O. Patrizzi, Dictionnaire des horlogers Genevois. Wikipedia, Edict of Nantes.