Le Roy & Fils Small Quarter-repeater
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1875
This 18K varicolored gold quarter-repeater, catalogued as a product of Leroy & Cie, Hgers du Roi, Paris, dates to approximately 1875. The watch features an elaborate four-body "bassine" case with a fixed back, heavily decorated with an applied floral and foliage motif in varicolored gold.
This decorative scheme is further embellished with inset turquoise and ruby stones, forming a large central rosette, while the band and the front bezel are finished in a matching floral pattern. The watch is keyless and utilizes a cylinder escapement within a matte gilt movement. Time is indicated on a silver dial featuring black radial Roman numerals and an outer minute track, with timekeeping read via blue steel Breguet hands.
The movement includes a standing barrel, a three-arm balance with a blued steel flat balance spring, and a repeating mechanism that activates two gongs via two polished steel hammers when the pendant is depressed.
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
- Date
- circa 1875
- Type
- Quarter repeating pocket watch
- Maker
- Leroy & Cie, Hgers du Roi, Paris
- Diameter
- 46 mm
- Thickness
- 13 mm
- Escapement
- Cylinder escapement
- Case Material
- 18K varicolored gold
- Serial Number
- 11647
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Leroy & Cie
Design
- Visible features
- • Case back decorated with a floral motif featuring inset turquoises and rubies • Bowed pendant for activating the repeater mechanism • Varicolored gold applied foliage creating a textured relief on the case back • Radial Roman numerals on a silver dial
- Dial and Timekeeping
- The dial is finished in silver and is marked with black radial Roman numerals to indicate the hours. An outer minute track surrounds the numerals to facilitate precise time reading. The time is displayed using blue steel Breguet-style hands. Regarding the condition, the auction documentation reports that the dial exhibits signs of oxidation. The hands are noted as being original to the piece.
- Case Construction and Decoration
- The watch features a four-body 'bassine' case constructed from 18K varicolored gold. The design is characterized by an extensive use of applied floral and foliage elements, which create a raised, intricate surface across the case back. This central arrangement is focused around a large, ornate rosette design. The decorative work incorporates inset turquoises and rubies, contributing to the polychromatic appearance of the piece. The side band and the front bezel are treated with a matching floral aesthetic, ensuring visual continuity across the entire exterior of the watch. The overall architecture is built with a fixed back design.
- Movement and Repeating Mechanism
- The timepiece is powered by a matte gilt movement that operates on a cylinder escapement. It utilizes a standing barrel and a three-arm balance, paired with a blued steel flat balance spring to regulate its performance. The movement is signed, with the signature specifically located on the cuvette. The quarter-repeating function is integrated into the movement, designed to sound on two gongs. Activation is achieved through a mechanism connected to the pendant, where depressing the pendant triggers the movement of two polished steel hammers against the gongs.
Identification
- Serial number
- 11647
- 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: Auction description notes the movement is slightly oxidized
- Research required: Auction description recommends an overhaul at the buyer's expense
- Research required: Dial is reported as slightly oxidized in the condition notes