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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Watch by Jean Rousseau the Younger

Partially verified

This 17th-century pocket watch is attributed to Jean Rousseau the Younger, active in Geneva. The object features a case constructed from rock crystal mounted in gilded brass. The dial is composed of silver with black enamel, paired with a gilded-brass hand. The movement is fabricated from gilded brass with components in partly blued steel. The case measures 1 5/8 inches (4.1 cm) in diameter, while the back plate measures 1 5/16 inches (3.3 cm) in diameter. The watch is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, having been gifted to the institution by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917. The design incorporates a scalloped profile to the case, and the watch components are visible through the faceted rock crystal cover and back. The attribution of the maker is noted as probable by the institution.

Front view of the watch with the rock crystal cover open, revealing the silver floral engraved dial.
Front view of the watch with the rock crystal cover open, revealing the silver floral engraved dial. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jean Rousseau the Younger
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
17.190.1014
Source-reported date
ca. 1650–60
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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

Construction and Appearance

The watch displays a case primarily formed from rock crystal, which is mounted in gilded brass. The crystal is fashioned with faceted surfaces that follow the scalloped silhouette of the casing. The metal mounts feature detailed engraving along the edges.

The dial is rendered in silver with black enamel infill, displaying Roman numerals for the hour track. A single gilded-brass hand indicates the time. The interior of the watch movement is partially visible through the faceted crystal, revealing the brass plates and steel elements.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: rock crystal mounted in gilded brass”
  • “Dial: silver and black enamel with gilded-brass hand”

Movement and Fabrication

The movement is constructed from gilded brass with specific elements fashioned from blued steel. The arrangement of the gear train and related internal components is visible through the crystal backing, which serves as a protective viewing aperture for the mechanical parts.

The dimensions of the movement are indicated by the back plate diameter, which measures 1 5/16 inches. The construction integrates the escapement and motion work within the limitations of the compact, scalloped brass and crystal housing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: gilded brass and partly blued steel”
  • “Diameter (back plate): 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm)”

Attribution and Provenance

The object is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art under the accession number 17.190.1014. The museum attributes the piece to the Swiss watchmaker Jean Rousseau the Younger, who was active between 1606 and 1684. This attribution is qualified as probable by the institution.

The watch entered the museum collection in 1917 as part of the gift of J. Pierpont Morgan. The records place the origin of the object in Geneva, Switzerland, and date its production to the period between 1650 and 1660.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watchmaker: probably Jean Rousseau the Younger (Swiss, 1606–1684)”
  • “Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement type or escapement mechanism is housed within this case?
  • Are there recorded examples of other watches by Jean Rousseau the Younger featuring this identical crystal scalloped case design?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch by Jean Rousseau the Younger
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Makerprobably Jean Rousseau the Younger“probably Jean Rousseau the Younger”
Dateca. 1650–60“ca. 1650–60”
OriginSwiss, Geneva“Swiss, Geneva”
Case materialsrock crystal mounted in gilded brass“Case: rock crystal mounted in gilded brass”
Dial materialssilver and black enamel“Dial: silver and black enamel”
Movement materialsgilded brass and partly blued steel“Movement: gilded brass and partly blued steel”
Case diameter1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)“Diameter (case): 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)”
Back plate diameter1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm)“Diameter (back plate): 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm)”
Accession number17.190.1014“17.190.1014”

Visible details

  • Case features a scalloped, faceted rock crystal design
  • Silver dial decorated with engraved floral motifs
  • Movement components visible through the crystal back
  • Gilded-brass metalwork exhibits engraved borders

Research qualifications

  • The maker attribution to Jean Rousseau the Younger is considered probable rather than certain by the holding institution
  • The specific classification of this object within broader historical horological typologies remains to be confirmed

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

Consulted source

Watch by probably Jean Rousseau the Younger, Swiss, Geneva, ca. 1650–60

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f98295777e

Terms in this record

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

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