Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, Mar 27, 2011
LOT 309
Lépine Dumb Quarter Repeating Watch with Virgule Escapement Lépine, Hger du Roy a Paris, Invenit et Fecit, No. 2190. Made circa 1780. Fine and very rare, quarter-repeating à toc, 18K gold and enamel pocket watch with virgule escapement and Lepine?s special opening mechanism.
CHF 9,000 - 14,000
USD 9,000 - 14,000 / EUR 7,000 - 11,000
Sold: CHF 22,500
C. Two-body, by Guillaume Mermillod, bezel decorated with white enamel "pearls" and ovals and translucent enamel green leaves, the back with green translucent guilloche enamel, central rosette, outer border to match the bezel, Lepine?s special opening mechanism activated by twisting the pendant. Hinged gilt cuvette. D. White enamel with radial Arabic numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals. Gold Louis hands. M. Gilt brass, standing barrel, virgule escapement, three-arm brass balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator, repeating à toc activated by depressing the pendant. Dial and cuvette signed, case with Guillaume Mermillod?s punch mark. Diam. 36 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-24 |
Good Slightly chipped |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-24-01 |
Good Slightly chipped HANDS Original |
Notes
Jean-Antoine Lépine (1720-1814) was born in Challex, a village north of Geneva and arrived in Paris in 1744. A workman for King's Clockmaker André Charles Caron, he married Caron's daughter in 1756 and was received Master in 1765. Around 1765 he became King's Clockmaker, and in 1766 he succeeded Caron. , In 1772, Lépine was in the Place Dauphine, in 1778- 1779, Quai de l'Horloge du Palais, then in the rue des Fossés Saint Germain l'Auxerrois near the Louvre in 1781, and finally at 12 Place des Victoires in 1789