Lot Essay
A Simon Beauvais was admitted to the Clockmakers' Company in April 1690 and was probably of French Huguenot extraction. A Beauvais was recorded in Paris in 1675. In July 1695 he was fined for having alien apprentices but refused to pay. He is known to be working in 1704, as a maker of watches. Watches are recorded signed 'Simon and Paul Beauvais'. It is possible that Paul was his son. See Brian Loomes, The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, NAG Press, 1981, p.82. Baillie records Paul Beauvais as a watchmaker working prior to 1704, until circa 1730.