Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 12, 1996

LOT 179

Highly important folder of 23 manuscript documents recording the complete history of the astronomical clock made by Jean-Baptiste Lepaute for the Hotel de Ville of Paris. Masterpiece of one of the most important clockmakers of the time, this clock was built to replace the previous one which could not be restored.

First commissioned in 1780 to restore the antique clock, for a total amount of 12'000 Livres, Jean-Baptiste Lepaute soon decided the clock was in too had condition to be restored. Lepaute in May 1780 proposed to the council to make, for 12'000 Livres,a brand new going train and to use the wheels of the old one to make striking trains, both for hours and quarters. Therefore, the clock could be restored for 24'000 Livres. During the restoration, it was decided by the Council that the Town Hall clock should be the best in Paris and Jean-Baptiste Lepaute was commissioned to produce it. When completed the new clock could not be compared with the old one and appears to be far the best ever made in France. However, the price of the new clock then fetched the enormous amount of 90'430 Livres which the Council refused to pay. Then began a court case which would last for over 25 years and which was solved after the death of Jean Baptiste Lepaute in 1808. The file now offered for sale, embodies most of the official reports, expertise and claims, including some most important propositions, made by the Council, such as to give Lepaute, in remittance of the clock, some grounds belonging to the town to enlarge his house and workshop.