Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 216

Lepine Invenit et Fecit à Paris, No. 6021, circa 1800. Fine and rare 20K rose gold quarter-repeating à tact watch.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

EUR 4,700 - 6,000 / USD 5,500 - 7,000

C. Two-body, "Directoire", No. 471 by Joly, polished, concealed hinge, spring-loaded back cover with "secret" Lepine opening by twisting the pendant, gilt brass hinged and spring-loaded cuvette mounted to the movement ring. D. White enamel, gold Breguet numerals, number "1" in an oval gold frame, gold outer minute divisions. Gold Breguet hands. Counter-enamel signed Borel. M. Gilt brass, Lepine caliber with standing barrel, cylinder escapement, brass three-arm jeweled balance, blued steel balane spring, repeating on movement ring by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial and cuvette, case stamped with French marks used between 1798 and 1808 and JLJ (Joly) in lozenge.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-13-19-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

Slightly damaged

Dent(s)

HANDS Original

Notes

The inscription "Invenit et Fecit" refers to the revolutionary movement design, known today as "Lepine caliber" which employs separate bridges for each wheel in place of a full plate covering the entire mechanism, as well as to the improved repetition system. It also covers the characteristic dial design, found only on Lépine watches from 1788-89, his invention of concealed hinges, as well as the "secret" back cover opening mechanism, and linear stop-work. The watch is listed in "Jean-Antoine Lepine, horloger 1720-1814" by Adolphe Chapiro, Paris, 1988, p. 265. According to the author the watch is the earliest known from the Consulat period.