Page 77 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.

L. ROUVANT—Fractical Watchmaker, formerly of Geneva, Switzerland;
Dealer in Fine Watches, Jewelry, Diamonds, Clocks, Spectacles,
Etc.; Chronometers, Repeaters, Chronographs and English Watches
Repaired; No. 7 Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas, and Lare-
do, Texas.
Little is known of the early manufacture of that, among the most
useful of modern inventions—the watch; although it would seem this
must date after the introduction of the spiral spring in the sixteenth cen-
tury; and, yet, there is authority for the opinion that they were made of
some form at Nuremberg as early as the year 1477. Beckmann speaks of
a watch, in Sir Ashton Lever's museum, bearing the date of 1541; and it
is known that Henry VIII, who died. in 1547,
and his cotemporary, Charles V, also pos-
sessed watches. In Shakespeare's time they
were used by private individuals. Malrolio,
in "Twelfth Night," says: "I frown the
while, and, perchance wind up my watch, or
play with some rich jewel." They must have
been common in France before 1544, for they
were named with clocks in a statute enacted
that year in Paris. A description and en-
graving of one bequeathed by Queen Mary
to Mary Seton, which is in possession of Sir
Thomas Dick Lauder, Bart., may be found
in Smith's "Historical and Literary Curiosi-
ties," (London, 1845; 4to., plate 96). Some of these early watches, it is
stated, were as small as those of the present day and were often of an oval
form; others were as large as dessert plates. All of them, however, were
extremely rude measures of time. The watchmakers of Geneva have es-
tablished. the reputation of being the most expert watchmakers in the
world, and their reputation has been permanent to this day. Among the
most prominent houses in the city engaged in the jewelry business, the
establishment of Mr. L. Rouvant is entitled to special mention, not only
on account of its elegant appointment, but the admirable taste displayed
in the selection of a very comprehensive stock of high class goods and rare
articles, pertaining to the trade. He carries the choicest line of diamonds
and. fine watches, which he makes a specialty; and genuine French marinor
and bronze clocks, also a complete assortment of American clocks,
table ware, sets, fruit stands, cake baskets, urns, entree dishes, besides
jewelry cases, candle-sticks, candelabras, goods suitable for bridal and
other presents and French bronzes. The premises are admirably located, at
No. 7 Commerce street, and are 30 by 75 feet in dimensions. Mr.
Rouvant is a native of Geneva, Switzerland, where he learned his business; he
commenced business in this city in 1878, and since that time, by energy,
enterprise and fair dealing. has built up a flourishing and fast increasing