Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 469

Lépine, Place des Victoires, Paris, No. 7060, circa 1840. Very fine and very rare gilt brass and marble dead center-seconds table regulator striking hours and half-hours with constant force escapement and thermometer in the pendulum?s bob.

CHF 40,000 - 60,000

EUR 25,000 - 38,000 / USD 31,000 - 47,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. Gilt brass, glazed on all sides, white marble base with florally decorated feet, arched top with a vase finial,four small finials on each corner.D. White enamel chapter ring, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions,inner seconds divisions with 10-minute radial Arabic markers, brass center partially skeletonized for viewing theconstant force escapement.M. Circular, brass, 145 mm., going barrels, anchor escapement with constant forcesupplied via the gravity of the last wheel that meshes with the escape wheel, "Berthoud" gridiron pendulum,knife edge suspension, micrometric beat adjustment on the crutch, Réaumur?s thermometer in the bob.Signed on dial and movement.Dim. Height 61 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The movement employs an ingenious constant force mechanism probably invented by Janvier, in which the impulse is given to the escapement by the gravity of the wheel driving the escape wheel. The train, after an impulse, lifts the wheel, storing enough energy for the next impulse.