1664-1753

Swiss mathematician and astronomer.
Born at the château Le Vieux clos in Duillier. Lived in Paris (from 1683), The Hague and London (from 1687).
Member of the Academy of Sciences in Paris.
Member of the Royal Society in London.

Research on the distance between the sun and the earth and on the appearance of Saturn’s ring.

1704

Known as being the inventor of a system to perforate stones (rubies or sapphires) for clockmaking purposes. Filed a patent with Debautre. The method, held secret, was to remain an English specialty for some time. On the continent, the first to adopt it was Ferdinand Berthoud, in 1768.