Lépine. A fine 18K two colour gold, enamel and paste-set verge watch with châtelaine

SIGNED LÉPINE A PARIS, CIRCA 1780

細節

Lépine. A fine 18K two colour gold, enamel and paste-set verge watch with châtelaine
Signed Lépine a Paris, circa 1780
With engraved skeletonized gilt-finished verge movement, plain three arm balance, chain fusée, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals, in circular case with engraved scroll decorated band, paste-set bezel and rim, the reverse centred by a polychrome painted enamel scene depicting Geometria and a putto, together with a matching 18K two colour gold châtelaine with various polychrome painted enamel panels depicting classical scenes, one small seal and one key, together with a fitted presentation box, dial and movement signed
30 mm. diam. & 140 mm. long

拍品專文

Jean-Antoine Lépine (1720-1814), was an eminent watchmaker. Amongst other things, he revolutionzed the form of the watch and is credited with the invention of the simple virgule escapement. He acted as agent for Voltaire's workshops at Ferney in France, only a short distance from Grand-Saconnex/Geneva, where he had learned his craft. It appears that Voltaire wrote to a friend "At my place here better watches are made than in Geneva are produced, and the Sieur Lépine has his establishment and workmen among us. We manufacture for Paris and for Bengal. Send me your orders and you shall be supplied; you shall have very fine watches and very indifferent verses whenever you are pleased to send for them".