Antide Janvier, 1751-1835, a brilliant clockmaker, was born in Briva, France, the son of a farmer. His aptitude for mechanics and science at an early age took him to the Abbé Tournier where he obviously excelled for by the age of fifteen he had made a complicated astronomical clock with an orrery and incorporating mean, solar and sidereal time an achievement beyond the capabilities of most competent and experienced clockmakers. At the age of nineteen he had made an even more complicated astronomical clock which was presented to Louis XV. By 1784 he was appointed clockmaker to Louis XVI and given residence at Loge aux Menus-Plaisirs.
Jean Coteau, 1739-1812, created the finest dials and enamel plaques of his time, he was not exclusive to Janvier and made dials for other makers such as Berthoud, Breguet, Robin, and Lepaute. This dial is particularly unusual with its exquisite deep blue enamel decoration in the form of drapes with gold foliate borders and pull cords enclosed within beautifully cast and chased ribbon-tied trailing berried laurels with ring ties
A similar clock, and possibly the same one, appeared for sale on March 22nd. 1802, the property of a bankrupt estate belonging to M. Julliot,; lot 237,'Une pendule du nom de Janvier, à deux petits cadrans, dans sa boite longue, en acajou.'. Janvier may have used a number of casemakers however it is known that he used the ébeniste F. Schwerd feger for in an inventory found in 1803, after his death, there were eight clock cases made for Janvier for 150Fr.