52,900 CHF
Julien Le Roy à Paris, Invenit et Fecit, No. 4757, made by his son Pierre, circa 1774-1775. Highly important and unique 18 ct. gold, centreseconds watch à l'usage des astronomes et des marins, the first ever made in France with a lever escapement. Contemporary, double body, Louis XV, polished. Contemporary white enamel vwith Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gold Louis XV hands and conterpoised centreseconds. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, heavy counterpoised lateral lever escapement the pallets set with small rollers, three-arm balance with gold studs, flat balance spring, regulator with unusual index, gridiron compensation (reconstructed by George Daniels) acting through an arm upon the regulator index. Signed on the back plate and on the dial plate. In good condition. Diam. 46 mm. Notes Previously in the Clutton collection, this movement is described and illustrated in his book: Collector's collection. Reputed to be the first movement with a lever escapement ever made in France and the second in the world after that made by Mudge, it has been studied in several publications. The first one by Robert H. A. Miles, published by the Antiquarian Horological society in Pioneers of precision tnnekeeping, gives a complete description of the wheel train and an exhaustive analysis of the action of the escapement; however the watch is attributed to Julien Le Roy and therefore supposed to be made before his death in 1759. Thi
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
