Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Paris, France · 1635–1724

Michael Butterfield

Partially verified

Maker of mathematical instruments and pocket sundials

Life & work

Born in England, Michael Butterfield moved to Paris before 1665 and established himself as a maker of mathematical and astronomical instruments.

He operated workshops in the Faubourg Saint-Germain and on the Quai de l'Horloge, where he produced significant scientific works. In 1680, he created a planisphere for the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris under the direction of Jean-Dominique Cassini. Butterfield served as a juror for the founders' corporation between 1702 and 1704 and trained several notable makers, including Jean-Jacques Langlois.

His legacy is marked by his namesake pocket compass sundials, which often feature octagonal plates and adjustable gnomons. Following his death in 1724, his Parisian workshop was continued by his former student, Charles François Langlois.

The fuller biography summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • He is recognized for the invention of highly reputable quadrant instruments.
  • The signature style of his sundials includes a compass at the head of the plate and a folding gnomon adjusted for different latitudes.

Key models

Butterfield-style sundial
This portable compass sundial typically features a rectangular plate with beveled corners forming an elongated octagon.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

Firms, key models & movements

No firm, model or movement in this encyclopedia is yet recorded under this maker's name.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Michael Butterfield. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Michael Butterfield, Wikipedia (French), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  2. Butterfield, Michael, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.