History

Century

Blaise Pascal

History of Watchmaking

The philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal was reputed to wear his watch on his wrist.

World history

1644. The last emperor of the Ming dynasty committed suicide inside the Forbidden City in Peking. The new Qing dynasty would reign until 1911.
1651. Cromwell passed the Navigation Act.

Swiss history

1648. The Treaty of Westphalia brought an end to the Thirty Years' War. Basel, Schaffouse, Appenzel and St-Gall were released from imperial jurisdiction. Europe recognised Switzerland as a fully independent nation.
1652. Michée Chauderon was the last woman to be burned as a witch in Geneva.

Art and Culture

Rembrandt was at the summit of his glory when he painted his Night Watch in 1642.
Louis XIV (1638-1715): his influence on the arts would spread throughout Europe.
Nikon, patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, laid down new architectural rules for churches, including five domes.