French clockmaking essentially began in the 17th century. Around 1670, Isaac II Thuret, French clockmaker to King Louis XIV, made a clock featuring a pendulum and a dial that indicated hours, minutes, and seconds. Because the reign of Louis XIV during this time period can be characterized, at least for the French royals, a time of excess, this sentiment was reflected in French clockmaking. French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle was perhaps primarily responsible for this period's clocks having cabinet enclosures with intricate and gilded designs. Generally, French clocks of the 17th century can be categorized broadly into two categories: Boulle clocks and Religieuse clocks.
As the name suggests, Boulle clocks originated with André-Charles Boulle. Prominent features of these types of clocks include tortoiseshell cabinet cases with decorations alongside or included in the clock itself, gilt bronze, and inlays made of a combination of brass, pewter, porcelain, and ivory.
French Religieuse clocks typically have brass and pewter overlays set in rectangular ebony veneer and oak cases. Like Boulle clocks, the tops were dome-shaped, a design element inspired by English timepieces. Perhaps because Boulle also made these types of clocks, they could also have tortoiseshell cases and gilt bronzes, though this category can generally be considered comparatively less ornate than typical Boulle clocks.