Important collector's watches, wristw...

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Apr 13, 2002

LOT 407

Le Roy & Fils, Palais Royal Gie Montpensieur 13-15, Paris, 296 Regency Street, London, No. 6666, circa 1870. Very fine gilt brass center dead-seconds hour and half-hour striking astronomical pendulum table clock with perpetual calendar, phases of the moon, thermometers in Centigrade and Fahrenheit scales, barometer and special escapement.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

EUR 21,000 - 27,000 / USD 18,000 - 24,000

Sold: CHF 34,500

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, 108mm, 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 signed also by Pons - the ebauche maker. Dim. Height 58cm, base width 35cm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-14

Good

Damaged
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3-13-21-01

Good

Slightly damaged

Period

HANDS Original

Notes

The clock employs a patent of July 9, 1863 by F. Richard for combination of clocks and barometers of E. Bourdon type. There is an inscription on the barometer dial ?Médaille d?or Exposition 1848, E. Bourdon et Richard?, also ?Grande Medaille de 1re Classe Exposition Universalle, Londres 1851? Leroy, L & Cie. Was founded in 1764 by Charles Le Roy, in the Quai des Orfèvres in Paris. At a time when most watches sold in France were imported from Switzerland, Le Roy offered a choice of watches and pendulums produced in his workshop. This was enough to earn him the support of the King, the Queen and the Court, as well as a faithful clientele throughout Europe. During the French revolution, his connections to the ancien régime were a source of trouble to Charles Le Roy, and almost caused him to lose his life. During the ?Terreur? (a period of the revolution which lasted from September 5, 1793, to July 27, 1794), he was obliged to turn his signature into 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, Charles Le Roy took his son Louis into partnership, changing the company?s name to ?Le Roy & Fils, Horlogers du Roi?. In 1889, the Louis Leroy took over the company, whose name was changed again, becoming ?Ancienne Maison Le Roy & Fils, Horlogers du Roy, L. Leroy & Cie., successeurs?. Louis Leroy carefully studied Swiss and French watch production, and decided to open a manufacture in Besançon, where many resources were available for the production of high-quality watches. He began his own production, merging various workshops, and consequently abandoned his former Swiss suppliers. This course of action was soon rewarded with success. Le Roy began to participate in the timing contests organized for chronometers at the Observatory of Besançon, with remarkable results. Whereas in 1890 the best watch was awarded 171 marks, when Le Roy took part in his first contest in 1894, he was awarded 197 marks, a gold medal and the prize for the five best chronometers. In 1895, he received 3 gold medals and the prize for the five best chronometers. In 1898 and in 1899, he again was awarded 3 gold medals and the prize for the five best chronometers. When, at the end of the century, Paris? business center moved from the Palais Royal to the Opera district, L. Leroy & Cie. transferred their premises to 7, Boulevard de la Madeleine. In 1914, Louis Leroy took his brother Léon into partnership, without changing the company name. Together the two brothers continued to develop the production of chronometers, astronomical regulators, complicated watches, carriage clocks and mantel regulators. Appointed ?Horloger de la Marine de l?Etat?, the Le Roy 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. At the most important industrial and universal exhibitions, Leroy exhibited highly important and unique pieces, bringing France fame and recognition for the high quality of its watch and clock production.