The Courvoisier family are one of the oldest associated with the clock making industry at La Chaux-de-Fonds and played an extremely influential role in the early history of Swiss carriage clocks. Several generations of the family were involved in the business through various associations. Josué-Robert with his son Louis 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. See Charles Allix op. cit., p.316. Allix also illustrates a clock of related design and signed Robert, p.26, plate I/36.