Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 29

Julien Le Roy a Paris, No.2629. Paris hallmarks for 1752. Very fine 18k gold, dumb quarter repeating pocket watch.

CHF 16,000 - 21,000

EUR 10,000 - 14,000 / USD 13,000 - 17,000

C. Two-body, "Louis XV", engine-turned with a swirling basketwork pattern. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals. Gold "Louis" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement with plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, pierced and foliate chased continental type balance cock with polished steel end-piece, silver regulation dial with blued steel hand, repeating on the case activated by depressing the pendant. Dial and movement signed. The dial plate ring inscribed ?Invente par Jul. Le Roy en 1740?. Diam. 48 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-5*

Good

Poor

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-23-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

Later

HANDS Original

Notes

The inscription : Inventé par Julien Le Roy en 1740, refers to the invention so-called "a bate levee". This new arrangement allowed more space for the repeating work. This invention was subsequently adopted by all French makers. See: Charles Allix and G. Brusa, Antiquarian Horology, June 1972. This watch was sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, 24 & 25 April, 1999, Lot 458. For two other examples of watches with this invention finished by Julien Le Roy?s son Pierre, see: Antiquorum Geneva, L?Art de L?horlogerie en France, November 14, 1993, Lots 71 & 72. Julien Le Roy (1686 ? 1759) One of the greatest French horologists of the time, he was apprenticed in 1699 to the Parisian maker Le Bon, became master in 1713, Juré in 1731 and Horloger du Roi in 1739. He was a founding member of the Société des Arts and raised the status of French horology to the standard where it could challenge the supremacy of England. The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum Hong Kong, on June 7, 1999, lot 471.