Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Nov 16, 2008
LOT 441
Le Roy & Fils, Palais Royal GieMontpensier 13-15, Paris, 296 Regency Street, London, No. 6666. Made circa 1870. Very fine, gilt brass, center dead-seconds, hour and half-hour striking pendulumtable clockwith perpetual calendar, phases of themoon, thermometers in Centigrade and Fahrenheit scales, barometer and Defossez escapement.
CHF 25,000 - 35,000
USD 23,000 - 32,000 / EUR 16,000 - 22,000
Sold: CHF 32,400
C. Domed top, molded base, six round feet, glazed on four sides, columns on the sides, finial at the top. D. White enamel ring set below the dome with Roman numerals, outer minute/seconds divisions, blued steel, Breguet hands, center set with the escapement against white enamel plate with winding apertures, below to the right enamel ring with months and date, to the left, days of the month on enamel ring with aperture for the phases of the moon and its age, lower part with aneroid barometer with blued steel ?arrow? hand and smaller ?reminder? hand, sides with thermometers, whole on gilt brass plate engraved with scrolling and stylized foliage patterns. M. Circular, 108 mm, brass, made by Pons, going barrels, Defossez unidirectional coup perdu escapement beating seconds, spring suspension with regulation from the dial, pendulum with steel rod and heavy gilt brass bob, separate movement for the calendar below and at the bottom bimetallic barometer movement. Signed on dial and movement, movement also signed by Pons, the ebauche maker. Dim. Height 58 cm, base width 35 cm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-6 |
Good Slightly oxidized |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Leroy, L & Cie. Was founded in 1764 by Charles Le Roy. During the French revolution, his connections to the ancien régime were a source of trouble to him, and during the ?Terreur? he was obliged to use the anagram ?EYLOR?, which can still be found today on the dials of clocks and on the plates of watches he produced during that era. In 1827, Le Roy?s son Louis joned him, and the company was called ?Le Roy & Fils, Horlogers du Roi?. In 1889, the Louis Leroy took over the company, which became ?Ancienne Maison Le Roy & Fils, Horlogers du Roy, L. Leroy & Cie., successeurs?. At the end of the century, L. Leroy & Cie. moved to 7, Boulevard de la Madeleine. In 1914, Louis Leroy took his brother Léon into partnership. The brothers continued to produce chronometers, astronomical regulators, complicated watches, carriage clocks and mantel regulators. Appointed ?Horloger de la Marine de l?Etat?, the company was also the main supplier of watches and chronometers to the Merchant Marine, the French Air Force and civil aviation, and French and foreign Observatories.