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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Oignon pocket watch

Jean Hubert Louis XIV Oignon Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Jean Hubert oignon pocket watch, attributed to circa 1700, is a large, gilt brass, Louis XIV-style timepiece with a mock pendulum feature. Measuring 65 mm in diameter, the watch is encased in a double-body gilt brass housing decorated with engraved inhabited foliage. The back of the case features a decorative scene depicting Venus accompanied by four cherubs holding a cornucopia. The gilt brass dial incorporates Roman numerals and Arabic minute chapters set on individual enamel cartouches, paired with blued steel hands. The movement is a hinged gilt brass full plate construction supported by Egyptian pillars. It is equipped with a fusee and chain, a verge escapement, a plain three-arm steel balance, and a short, flat balance spring. Regulation is achieved via a rack and pinion mechanism. The gilt brass cock is intricately engraved with inhabited foliage and a central warrior profile, also housing the pendulum aperture.

Front view of the gilt brass oignon watch, showing the enamel cartouches and intricate dial engraving.
Front view of the gilt brass oignon watch, showing the enamel cartouches and intricate dial engraving. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Oignon pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jean Hubert
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
532
Source-reported date
circa 1700
Source-reported place
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The watch features a large, double-body gilt brass oignon case measuring 65 mm in diameter. The exterior surface displays dense engraving of inhabited foliage, a style consistent with the period of manufacture. The case back acts as a decorative panel, centering a depiction of the figure Venus surrounded by four cherubs, with one figure carrying a cornucopia.

The dial is constructed of gilt brass and utilizes individual enamel cartouches to display both Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minute markers. The time is indicated by blued steel hands, which contrast against the intricate brass scrollwork of the dial plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Double body "oignon", engraved with inhabited foliage”
  • “the back centred with a scene depicting Venus with four cherubs, holding a cornucopia.”
  • “Gilt brass with Roman numerals and Arabic minute chapters on enamel cal-touches.”

Movement and Escapement

The internal mechanism consists of a hinged gilt brass full plate movement secured by Egyptian-style pillars. Power is delivered via a fusee and chain system. The watch utilizes a verge escapement connected to a plain three-arm steel balance and a short, flat balance spring.

For adjustment, the movement includes a rack and pinion regulator. A notable decorative feature is the gilt brass balance cock, which is engraved with foliage and a profile figure of a warrior. This cock also serves the functional purpose of framing the pendulum aperture associated with the mock pendulum complication.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hinged gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement”
  • “plain steel three arm balance, short flat balance spring, rack and pinion regulator”
  • “fine gilt brass Louis XIV cock with pendulum aperture, engraved with inhabited foliage and centred with the profile figure of a warrior.”

Signatures and Condition

The watch bears the signature of the maker, Jean Hubert of Rouen, associated with the shop 'au Grand Monarque'. The maker's name is inscribed on both the balance cock and the main movement back plate.

The auction description reports that the object is in very good condition. No specific restoration details are provided in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Jean Hubert a Rouen, au Grand Monarque”
  • “Signed on the cock and back plate.”
  • “In very good condition.”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the 'au Grand Monarque' mark in Rouen?
  • Are there known surviving examples of Jean Hubert's work that share this specific Venus and cherub engraving?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jean Hubert Louis XIV Oignon Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJean Hubert“Jean Hubert a Rouen, au Grand Monarque”
Datecirca 1700“circa 1700”
Diameter65 mm“Diam. 65 nun.”
Case decorationInhabited foliage with mythological scene“engraved with inhabited foliage, the back centred with a scene depicting Venus with four cherubs, holding a cornucopia.”
Dial featuresGilt brass with enamel cartouches“Gilt brass with Roman numerals and Arabic minute chapters on enamel cal-touches.”
Movement typeFull plate with verge escapement“Hinged gilt brass full plate with Egyptian pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement”
Signature locationCock and back plate“Signed on the cock and back plate.”

Visible details

  • Large 65 mm diameter case
  • Engraved Venus and cherubs case back
  • Enamel cartouche hour and minute markers
  • Balance cock includes pendulum aperture

Research qualifications

  • Exact manufacturing date is an estimate
  • Condition is reported by the auction description only

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Jean Hubert a Rouen, au Grand Monarque, circa 1700. Unusual very large, gilt brass Louis XIV "oignon" with mock pendulum.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 45e34a2b3a

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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