Julien Le Roy Four-Train Coach Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1740
Maker / issuer
Julien Le RoyThis four-train silver coach watch is signed by Julien Le Roy of Paris, though the source attributes its manufacture to Friedberg, Germany, circa 1740. It features a repoussé silver two-body case measuring 115 mm in diameter, heavily decorated with pierced, chased, and engraved scrollwork.
The back of the case depicts a scene featuring courting couples within a rococo garden setting. The white enamel dial incorporates radial Roman numerals for hours and an outer track for Arabic five-minute intervals, with a date aperture positioned above the six o'clock mark. An inner enamel disc serves the alarm function. The movement measures 83 mm, utilizing a gilt, full-plate architecture with rectangular pillars and foliate silver frets.
Equipped with a fusee and chain, it performs hour and quarter striking, repeating, and alarm functions on an internal bell, incorporating a strike/silent lever.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- White enamel with radial Roman numerals
- Type
- Coach watch
- Maker
- Julien Le Roy à Paris
- Functions
- Hour and quarter striking, repeating, date and alarm
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Case Diameter
- 115 mm
- Place recorded
- France/Germany
- Case Decoration
- Repoussé silver with courting couples
- Movement Diameter
- 83 mm
- Maker / attribution
- Julien Le Roy
- Place of Manufacture
- Friedberg, Germany
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The dial is composed of white enamel featuring radial Roman numerals for the hour indications. The outer edge includes a minute track supplemented by Arabic five-minute numerals. A date aperture is located positioned above the six o'clock numeral. An inner alarm disc, also executed in enamel, provides Arabic numerals along with markers for half and quarter hours.
- Visible features
- • Repoussé silver case with courting couples • Pierced gilt Louis XV hands • Strike/silent lever positioned in the dial plate • Full-plate gilt movement with silver foliate frets
- Movement and Functional Design
- The movement is a gilt, full-plate construction measuring 83 mm. It features rectangular pillars enhanced with applied silver foliate frets. Power is delivered via a fusee and chain mechanism. The movement includes independent trains dedicated to the hour, quarter, repeating, and alarm functions, all utilizing polished steel hammers and striking on an internal bell. The regulation is managed through a calibrated silver disc featuring radial Roman numerals. A polished steel endplate is visible, and the backplate furniture is noted for being finely pierced, chased, and engraved. A strike/silent lever is integrated into the dial plate, allowing the user to manage the chiming function.
- Case Construction and Aesthetics
- The watch is housed in a large, two-body repoussé silver case measuring 115 mm in diameter. The exterior is characterized by highly detailed, pierced, chased, and engraved work featuring asymmetric rococo scrollwork. The bezel is decorated to coordinate with the overall aesthetic of the piece. The back of the case serves as a pictorial focal point, depicting a scene of courting couples situated within a rococo garden. A pendant with a loose barrel and ring facilitates handling of the substantial case.
Identification
- Serial number
- 569
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Attribution to Friedberg remains based on expert study rather than original maker marks
- Research required: Exact historical relationship between Le Roy and Friedberg production remains unverified