Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces.

Geneva, Nov 13, 2010

LOT 264

Lepine Quarter-Striking Pendule Portative Lépine, Horloger du Roi, Paris, No. 4085. Made circa 1790. Very fine and very rare, quarter-striking, gilt brass ?pendule portative?, traveling clock with special escapement. To be sold without reserve

CHF 20,000 - 40,000

USD 20,000 - 40,000 / EUR 15,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 13,750

C. Rectangular gilt bronze with domed top, the front lower corners engraved with symbols of Astronomy and Geometry, the top with musical and military trophies, glazed sides, hinged back door, bun feet and finials, triangular hinged handle. d. White enamel, convex, radial Arabic numerals, outer minute dot divisions with five-minute Arabic numerals. Gilt brass fleur-de-lys hands. M. Rectangular, gilt brass, 14 x 13 cm., going barrels for both trains, special form of lever escapement with escape wheel derived from that of a virgule, three-arm brass balance mounted vertically on the back plate, flat balance spring, index regulator, striking on two bells concealed in the arch-top, large count wheel on the back plate. Dial and movement signed. Dim. Height 21 cm, width 15 cm, 8.5 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-38

Good

Slightly rubbed
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Lépine numbered his clocks starting with a 4000 serial number. This is one of only two traveling clocks known to have been made by him. It employs a very interesting and rare form of lever escapement and quarter striking on two bells. The form of this traveling clock was to become the standard for carriage clocks. This clock is illustrated in "I Ritmi Del Tempo", by Lodovico Magistretti & Luigi Pippa, Milano, 1998, page 49.