Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...
Geneva, Mar 29, 2009
LOT 366
Contemplation Lepine A Paris. Made circa 1766. Very fine and very rare, quarter-repeating, varicolored gold and rose-cut diamond-set pendant watch with a painted on enamel portrait.
CHF 5,000 - 7,000
USD 4,300 - 6,000 / EUR 3,400 - 4,700
C. Two-body, ?Louis XV?, rose-cut diamond-set bezel, case chased and engraved with flowers and repeated pattern, diamond thumbpiece, the back set with a painted on enamel panel depicting a seated lady reading a book, rose-cut diamond-set border. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals intersected by rose-cut diamond-set indexes, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals. Diamond-set Louis XV hands. M. 31 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full plate with conical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance with blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator with silver scale, continental-type foliate pierced cock, polished steel endplate, repeating on a bell in the back of the case. Movement signed. Diam. 41 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-33 |
Good Restored |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
was born on 18 November 1720 at Challex, a small village a few kilometers north of Geneva. After having worked for some time at the establishment of Decrose, in the Grand Saconnex, also in the Geneva suburbs. He arrived in Paris in 1744. A workman for André Charles Caron, "Horloger du Roi" and father of Beaumarchais. He married his employer?s daughter in 1756 and was received Master in 1765.
He was named "Horloger du Roi" (King?s Clockmaker) circa 1765. In 1766 he succeeded Caron, and appears on the list of Paris clockmakers of that year as: Jean-Antoine Lépine, Hger du Roy, rue Saint Denis, Place Saint Eustache. In 1772, Lépine settled in the Place Dauphine; in 1778- 1779, he moved to Quai de l?Horloge du Palais; to the rue des Fossés Saint Germain l?Auxerrois near the Louvre in 1781; and finally to 12 Place des Victoires, in 1789.