The escapement in this watch is one of the most complicated we have seen. Louis Richard, (1812-1875) whose real name was Louis JeanRichard, became an escapement maker and in time became one of the most eminent in the field. In 1839 he invented a constant force escapement, for which he was awarded a gold medal. The locking, impulse and unlocking functions were based on a single triple detent, sometimes called “chicken foot” detent. The present watch features an improved constant force escapement, whose functions are shared between three different detents, which allows for better adjustment and better performance. Here the impulse is delivered via a pivoted detent. The strength of its spring provides constant impulse force. It is wound through the upper part of the double escape wheel which is locked by another pivoted detent. The impulse detent is locked during the free swing of the balance by means of a third pivoted detent, released by the return of the balance.Louis Richard used very characteristic ebauches with distinctively designed center wheel bridge. This, as well as the complexity of the escapement, strongly suggests that this ultra-complicated movement came from his workshop.In 1851, Louis Richard won the Grand Prize and a First Class medal at the London Exhibition with a Marine chronometer of his invention, and was named an Honorary Member of the Society for the Advancement of Arts and Industry. In 1855 he exhibited a watch and a precision regulator at the Paris Universal Exhibition. There he was awarded a prize of 4000 francs.Bibliography. Swiss Timepiece Makers, Kathleen H. Pritchard, West Kennebunk, 1997.