Hong Kong, May 29, 2022
LOT 376
L’Epée
Eight-day going carriage-clock, hours and half-hours striking, hour-repeater, alarm, tourbillon regulator; limited production with “cloisonné” décor; gilded brass and enamel
HKD 83,000 - 126,000
EUR 10,000 - 15,000 / CHF 10,500 - 15,800 / USD 10,600 - 15,900
Sold: HKD 100,000
Gilded brass and polychrome “champlevé” enamel imitating the “cloisonné”-work, key-winding, vertical rectangular-shape, eight-day going, carriage-clock, with three horological complications:
· Hours and half-hour striking in passing on one gong
· Hour-repeater on the same gong (activated by depressing the button on top of the cabinet)
· Alarm on the same gong via a small hammer (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)
“Anglaise Riche” case with decorated columns with scrolling foliage and Corinthian capitals; the top with glazed aperture to view the escapement.
White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals; blued steel “Breguet” hands. Gilded brass false-plate decorated en suite.
Movement, 100 x 70 mm., two going barrels, skeleton and engraved plat-form escapement with one-minute tourbillon regulator, lever escapement, compensated balance with poising screws and flat hairspring, polished steel index-regulator.
“Anglaise Riche” case with decorated columns with scrolling foliage and Corinthian capitals; the top with glazed aperture to view the escapement.
White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals; blued steel “Breguet” hands. Gilded brass false-plate decorated en suite.
Movement, 100 x 70 mm., two going barrels, skeleton and engraved plat-form escapement with one-minute tourbillon regulator, lever escapement, compensated balance with poising screws and flat hairspring, polished steel index-regulator.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand L'Epée, Sainte-Suzanne (France)
Year circa 1980-1990
Movement No. 24
Case No. 74
Material gilded brass and enamel
Caliber 100 x 80 mm., plat-form lever escapement with skeleton and engraved one-minute tourbillon regulator (No. 24)
Height 170 mm. (approx.; without the handle)
Width 100 mm.
Thickness 91 mm.
Weight 2.45 kg. (approx.)
Signature dial and movement
Accessories original fitted box and outer box (fair condition), gilded brass winding-key
Notes
L’Epée
The company L’Epée was founded in 1839 by Auguste L’Epée (1798-1875) in Sainte-Suzanne in France, a village near Besançon (Doubs department). It began by manufacturing horological products and music boxes. From 1850 onwards, the manufactory began to produce escapement platforms for clocks and carriage-clocks and obtained several patents. Later, L’Epée manufactures complete carriage-clocks which become its specialty. For some years now, L’Epée has been established in Switzerland, in Delémont (canton of Jura), and produces very contemporary clocks.
--
Carriage-clocks with tourbillon regulators are very rare; L’Epée made this model in a limited series in the 1980-1990’s.
L’Epee has produced a few examples with gilded brass “Gorge” case, further enhanced by the addition of a calendar, including the date of the month, the day of the week and the phases of the moon (also with tourbillon, repeater and alarm); some of them were sold by special subscription in 1987, in a limited edition, for the 20th anniversary of ANCAHA (Association Nationale des Collectionneurs et Amateurs d’Horlogerie Ancienne), Paris (1967-2015).
In 1989, L’Epee crated a limited edition of 150 pieces to celebrate its 150th anniversary, with gilded brass “Gorge” case with Limoges enamel side panels, and, a calendar, including date of the month, day of the week and moon phases (also with tourbillon, repeater and alarm), and an additional two-tune musical mechanism.
The company L’Epée was founded in 1839 by Auguste L’Epée (1798-1875) in Sainte-Suzanne in France, a village near Besançon (Doubs department). It began by manufacturing horological products and music boxes. From 1850 onwards, the manufactory began to produce escapement platforms for clocks and carriage-clocks and obtained several patents. Later, L’Epée manufactures complete carriage-clocks which become its specialty. For some years now, L’Epée has been established in Switzerland, in Delémont (canton of Jura), and produces very contemporary clocks.
--
Carriage-clocks with tourbillon regulators are very rare; L’Epée made this model in a limited series in the 1980-1990’s.
L’Epee has produced a few examples with gilded brass “Gorge” case, further enhanced by the addition of a calendar, including the date of the month, the day of the week and the phases of the moon (also with tourbillon, repeater and alarm); some of them were sold by special subscription in 1987, in a limited edition, for the 20th anniversary of ANCAHA (Association Nationale des Collectionneurs et Amateurs d’Horlogerie Ancienne), Paris (1967-2015).
In 1989, L’Epee crated a limited edition of 150 pieces to celebrate its 150th anniversary, with gilded brass “Gorge” case with Limoges enamel side panels, and, a calendar, including date of the month, day of the week and moon phases (also with tourbillon, repeater and alarm), and an additional two-tune musical mechanism.