Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 55

Lépine A Paris, Horloger du Roy, No. 1242, with hallmark used between July 14, 1767 and July 13, 1768. Very fine, rare and important 20K multicolored gold quarter-repeating à toc watch of a new design invented by Lépine.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

EUR 3,500 - 4,500

Sold: CHF 8,280

C. Two-body, Louis XV, back centered with a medaillon with applied flower vase, applied foliate garlands at the edges, bezels en suite, extended hinge. D. White enamel, signed "Arnaud" on the reverse, Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic markers, winding aperture at 4 o?clock. Gold "Louis XV" hands. M. 38.8 mm, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock, Lépine repetition system without chain and with both hour and quarter racks fitted on the repeater winding arbor, activation lever acting on the cam set under the hour cam, all-or-nothing mechanism with movable star wheel, repeating on gold blocks fixed to the case by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial and movement. Diam. 45 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 15
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 17 - 01

Notes

In 1763 Lépine invented a new type of repeating mechanism in which the hour and quarter racks were placed directly on the winding arbor. The new design was a great improvement, eliminating the use of a winding chain, which often broke. It also gave the system better stability, decreased friction, saved room and simplified the mechanism. At the time, it represented a large improvement in repeating watches. The French Académie des Sciences reported about it in their 1763 report. The chapter "Machines ou inventions approuvées par l?Académie en 1763" starts with the description of Lépine?s invention and follows with a very favorable report. It appears that the present watch is the earliest one known with Lépine?s repetition system. The Time Museum collection included an unnumbered watch with Lépine repetition, with a transitional movement. Our watch employs the old verge full plate caliber. The activation of the repeater system, in which the activation lever acts on the cam fixed under the hour cam, is the earliest form of the system. Lépine very quickly developed another activation system in which the hour rack was fitted with a pinion meshing with a rack fitted to the activation lever.