8,280 CHF
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. Two-body, Louis XV, back centered with a medaillon with applied flower vase, applied foliate garlands at the edges, bezels en suite, extended hinge. 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. 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. 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 reporte
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-10-19
