A Parisian Master of Time: The Life and Legacy of Renacle-Nicolas Sotiau Renacle-Nicolas Sotiau, a name synonymous with the pinnacle of 18th-century French horology, emerged from the workshops of Liège, Belgium in 1749. Though born beyond the borders of France, it was within the vibrant artistic milieu of Paris that he would forge his reputation as one of the most celebrated clockmakers of his era. Sotiau’s relatively short life – he passed away in 1791 – belies an extraordinary impact on the world of luxury timekeeping, serving a clientele that included royalty and the highest echelons of F…