Leroy. A fine and unusual 18K gold openface minute repeating keyless lever chronograph watch

SIGNED L. LEROY & CIE., HORLOGER DE LA MARINE, 7 BD DE LA MADELEINE, PARIS, NO. 61576, CIRCA 1910

Details

Leroy. A fine and unusual 18K gold openface minute repeating keyless lever chronograph watch
Signed L. Leroy & Cie., Horloger de la Marine, 7 Bd de la Madeleine, Paris, No. 61576, circa 1910
With gilt-finished fully jewelled lever movement, bimetallic compensation balance, repeating on two polished steel hammers onto two gongs, gold cuvette, the white enamel dial with gilt Arabic numerals, gold spade hands, in circular case with finely chased and engraved foliage, floral and scroll decoration in high relief, repeating slide in the band, chronograph activated through the crown, hour setting device and crown locking slide in the band, case numbered, cuvette signed and numbered, dial and movement signed
49 mm. diam.

Lot Essay

The Leroy dynasty of famous watchmakers was founded in 1751 by Charles Leroy, watchmaker to the King, and renowned chronometer maker. After his dead in 1771, the company based at the prestigious Palais Royal in Paris, continued commerce under different leadership.

Louis Leroy, Horloger de la Marine, started as a watchmaker for the company in 1879 and took over the business with Jules Desfontaines, changing the firm's name to L. Leroy et Cie. Louis' brother Léon Leroy who had joined in 1895 became partner in 1914.

Leroy watches participated in various exhibitions and were awarded numerous prices, especially at chronometer contests.

For the first self-winding wristwatch signed Léon Leroy see lot 192 in this sale.

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