Andrè Hessen, A gold openface center seconds beating watch with day, date and Pouzait-type balance and lever, circa 1790

gilt full plate movement, large four armed slow beating Pouzait-type balance, unusual Pouzait-form lever escapement with jumper spring and divided lift, white enamel dial, hours and minutes dial above 6 o'clock with roman numerals and outer arabic, two dials above indicating day to the left and date to the right, outer ring calibrated for center seconds and clearly marked for individual seconds, polished case, dial and movement signed, case stamped with maker's mark GM.

Time Museum Inventory No. 3888

Andrè Hessen came from Sweden to establish his business in Paris.  Until the time of the revolution, he worked in Paris and acted as watchmaker to Louis XVI's brother.

In 1786, J.M. Pouzait (1743-1793) introduced this new form of lever escapement, possibly the first with divided lift, at the Company of Arts in Geneva.  His movements were further characterized by a very large seconds beating balance wheel.