French keywind verge coach clock with self-strike Circa 1640

Brass verge coach clock watch by Le Sueur
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An important French Renaissance coach clock with self-strike, circa 1640.
Extremely early signed spindle mechanism with hour self-beat, openwork barrel, beautiful factory decorations, again floral motifs, steel balance, spiral (later), drive via gut string, and Vase pillars. Beautiful dial with silver numerals, in the centre floral engraved motifs, and an extremely beautiful iron hand. Brass case with bell, openwork, engraved floral motifs. This watch is passable and in a beautiful state of preservation, a museum rarity.
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Diameter: 77 mm
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Weight: 400 g
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Signed: Le Sueur à Gisors
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This beautiful, early car body clock is shown and described in Bernard Seneca’s, La Montre de Carosse et Temps Mesure De Voyage, Arras 2013, page 58.
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The clock has been known to collectors for some time. Provenance: last known owner change after auctioning at Chayette & Cheval Paris, result about 31.000 €.
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No apparent records for this maker’s exact dates have been found, although a Louis Lesueur was recorded in Rouen in 1663. As Gisors is only some 50 kilometres east of Rouen, there may well have been a family working in the area. Indeed, there are records of several makers who were granted their mastership in Rouen, belonged to the Guild there, but lived and worked in Gisors.