French silver Louis XIV oignon coach clock with alarm Circa 1700

Silver oignon watch in pair cases by Nicolas Gribelin
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An exceptionally rare French silver pair cased Louis XIV verge oignon coach clock with alarm, circa 1700. Fire gilded full plate movement, baluster shaped pillars, chain and fusee, an impressively large Louis XIV balance bridge with the finest scrollwork, one hammer, an overhead ratchet and a three arm steel balance, an openwork spring barrel decorated with fine floral tendrils to drive the alarm mechanism. White enamel dial with Roman hours, a central rotating gold plated alarm clock disc with floral engraving and a single blued spade hand. A plain outer case, the inner case is ∅ 65 mm with a pierced and engraved band showing tendrils, flowers and two dogs chasing rabbits, a depiction of two putti on the pendant, a bottom bell for the alarm. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 72 mm
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Weight: 394 g
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Signed: Nicolas Gribelin Paris
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This, one of the largest in existence, oignon watch is an outstanding example of the skill of Nicolas Gribelin, who is considered one of the best watchmakers of the late 17th century. The decoration of the case and the balance bridge appear to be based on the watchmaker’s designs published by Pierre Bourdon and reproduced in E. Gelis, ‘L’Horlogerie Ancienne’. 
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Nicolas Gribelin was born in Blois, France, in 1637 as the son of the watchmaker Abraham Gribelin and was one of the most famous watchmakers of his time towards the end of the 17th century. He was appointed Horloger de Monsieur le Dauphin, son of Louis XIV, in 1674 and was received as master at the Faubourg St. Germain in 1675. Gribelin often worked with André Charles Boulle on the cases of his watches. When the Dauphin’s watches were inventoried in 1689, he owned four pieces from Gribelin. Gribelin died in 1719. Many of his works can now be admired in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.