French with leather cover Parisian “Oignon” watch Circa 1710

Open faced pocket watch by Nicolas Hanet
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A French rare brass gilt, with leather cover, Parisian “Oignon” pocket watch, circa 1710.
Brass gilt, leather cover case with applied golden stud decoration and large lateral hinge. Bossed enamel dial with radial Roman hours on enamel cartouches and “Fleur de Lys” hands. Full plate movement, keywind, firegilt, engraved with chain/fusee, Egyptian movement pillars, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance and pierced balance bridge decorated with birds of prey, dragons and flowers.
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Diameter: 59 mm
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Weight: 173 g
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Signed: Hanet à Paris
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Nicolas Hanet
Nicolas Hanet was born about 1660 and died in 1723. He was one of the French makers who were appointed by Huygens in Paris to produce the first pendulum clocks and the first watches with the balance spring (which had been invented in 1675). Hanet must thus be considered one of the prominent makers of the second half of the 17th century.