Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Apr 23, 2006

LOT 343

?The Butterfly? Lépine, Invenit et fecit, No. 5647, ?M?, circa 1788. Very fine and very rare, 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set á toc quarter-repeating watch.

HKD 55,000 - 70,000

USD 7,000 - 9,000 / EUR 6,000 - 7,500

Sold: HKD 64,900

C. Double-body, of Lépine type, by master casemaker Guillaume Mermillod, back painted on enamel with a butterfly over a basket of flowers, gold paillon frame, pearl-set bezels, opening by twisting the pendant, fixed front bezel. Gilt brass hinged cuvette signed ?Lépine, horloger du Roy à Paris?. D. White enamel with alternating Roman and Arabic numerals and outer minute ring, the number ?1? in an oval frame. Blued-steel Breguet hands. M. 43 mm. (19???), gilt brass, early Lépine caliber with free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass threearm balance, flat balance spring, Lépine repetition system with LeRoy?s anchor governor, repeating by two polished hammers on the movement adapter ring by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial and the cuvette. Diam. 52 mm. To be sold without reserve


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-14*

Good

Damaged

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch is a good early example of Lépine?s work in his classical period between 1772-1792 with his special dial, his repetition system and unusual enamel decoration.