Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 404

Valet Astronomique Lepaute, Horloger de l?Empereur à Paris, No. 18/07 + 9, made in 1807. Very fine and very rare 8 day-going weight-driven center-seconds mahogany ?valet astronomique? longcase regulator.

CHF 55,000 - 65,000

EUR 38,000 - 45,000 / USD 33,000 - 45,000

Sold: CHF 57,500

C. Mahogany, glazed trunk framed by ormolu beaded frame, rectangular plinth, dado decorated with ormolu beaded frame, molded surbase, sharp cornice with rectangular plain cresting above. D. White convex enamel, outer minute/seconds divisions with five-minute Arabic figures. Gilt brass ?Empire star? hour hand and ?arrow? minute one. M. Rectangular 150 x125 mm., Huyghens endless rope weight driven, spring suspension mounted to heavy bracket with two movement mounting brass brackets, adjustable by means of four double knurled screws, steel-brass gridiron compensation pendulum with four brass and five steel rods, heavy ogival bob with adjustment nut at the bottom, lateral adjustment on the crutch, pin-wheel escapement acting on the same side of the escape wheel with acute angle arms, lantern pinions on the third, escape and minute wheels, , Signed on dial and movement, reverse of the dial signed 183 Lepaute h l . Dim. Height 220 cm., base width 55 cm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The clock was made by Pierre-Basile Lepaute (1750-1843), called Sully-Lepaute, who, along with his son Pierre-Michel (1785-1849) continued running the famous company established in the 1740?s. He received the title of Horloger de l?Empereur during the Empire and Horloger du Roi at the Restoration and the July Monarchy. Under the Empire he was the main supplier of clocks to the Garde-Meuble. In 1819 and 1823 he was admitted to the Exhibitions of the Products of the Industry. The ?Star? hand found in this clock indicates the Empire Star, Lepaute began employing it in his clocks from the early 1790?s. It is interesting to notice that the clock employs lantern pinions, which if properly made, give excellent performance with reduced tooth-pinion friction. The Lepautes were one of the most prominent French clock and watchmakers. They were inventors, writers, researches and excellent craftsmen. Their clients included Louis XV, Louis XVI, Madame du Barry, Duc de Bourbon, the Princesse de Monaco, Paris Observatory, King Ferdinand VI, King Charles III and Charles IV of Spain and many others. For information on valet astronomique clocks see lot 224.