A SWISS ORMOLU GRANDE-SONNERIE PENDULE D'OFFICIER

The Courvoisier family of La Chaux-de-Fonds played an important part in the development of the Swiss carriage clock and was arguably the premier clock-making family of the region. Several generations of the family were involved in the business through various associations. Josué-Robert with his son founded Robert Josué et fils; in 1781 the firm became J. Robert et fils et Cie. It was run by Captain Louis Robert and Louis Courvoisier. Robert's widow continued the firm from 1787 as J. Robert et fils, Courvoisier et Cie. In 1805 the name changed to Robert, Courvoisier et Cie and in 1811 to Courvoisier et Cie, as on the present clock. (C. Allix and P. Bonnert, Carriage Clocks, Woodbridge, 1974, p. 316.)