Essai sur l'horlogerie; dans lequel on traite de cet art relativement à l'usage civil, à l'astronomie et à la navigation [...]. Dédié aux artistes et aux amateurs [...].

2 vol., 4to: [4]-lv-[1]-477-[11], [4]-viii-452 pp.; 38 pl. (some stains, pl. sl. soiled, marg. water stain on the 1st lvs in vol. 1, contemp. pen corr. and annotations).

Contemp. marbled calf, gilt-tooled spines with raised bands, red leather title-labels, red edges (rubbed, joints partly split, two turn-ins missing, bumped corners).

First edition of this outstanding work on horology by the famous Swiss watchmaker Berthoud (1727-1807), established in Paris early in his career. His "Essai" is the most important basic work among his other authoritative publications. He is one of the several horologists to whom the invention of the so-called "Spring detent" escapement has been claimed. Copy complete with 38 technical fold. plates by Pierre-Philippe Choffard.
Ref. Tardy 51. - Brunet I:819.