Lepaute à Paris Quarter Repeating Pendant Watch, No. 540
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1780
This pendant watch, attributed to Lepaute à Paris and numbered 540, dates to approximately 1780. The object is a quarter repeating watch with a gold two-body case, featuring a sprung hinged bezel set with pearls and a back decorated with a painted enamel scene of lovers in a rustic arbor against a translucent dark blue ground, bordered by gold and silver paillon.
The white enamel dial displays Arabic numerals, dot minute divisions, and fleur-de-lys markers for five-minute intervals, complemented by pierced gold cathedral-style hands. Internally, the watch contains a 38 mm frosted gilt full-plate movement with turned pillars. The mechanism includes a fusee with chain, a verge escapement, and a brass three-arm balance with a blued steel flat spring. A pierced and chased continental balance cock sits above the movement, which activates the repeating function by depressing the pendant.
The piece is signed on both the dial and movement.
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 1780
- Type
- Quarter repeating pocket watch
- Maker
- Lepaute à Paris
- Diameter
- 51 mm
- Movement Type
- Full plate fusee
- Serial Number
- 540
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Case Decoration
- Painted enamel scene with pearls
- Maker / attribution
- Lepaute à Paris
- Repeating Mechanism
- Quarter repeating
Design
- Visible features
- • Case features a border of pearls • Dial includes fleur-de-lys five-minute markers • Movement uses two hammers for the quarter repeating function • Hands are pierced gold cathedral style
- Condition and Attribution
- The object is attributed to Lepaute à Paris with a Swiss origin, numbered 540, and assigned a date of circa 1780. The auction house provides a condition report using a grading system where the watch received an AA grade, indicating it is in very good condition. Specifically, the case is rated as good (3) and the movement is rated as good (3*). The dial is also listed with a grade of 3.
- Case and Enamel Decoration
- The watch is housed in a two-body gold case. The front features a sprung hinged bezel decorated with pearls. The reverse side displays a painted enamel scene depicting two lovers in a rustic arbor setting. This central image is set against a translucent dark blue enamel background, further enhanced by a gold and silver paillon border and an external border of pearls. The dial is white enamel, presenting Arabic numerals for the hours. Minute tracking is indicated via dot minute divisions with fleur-de-lys markers at every five-minute interval. The watch utilizes pierced gold hands described as cathedral style, which indicate time against the enamel dial surface. The auction description reports the watch has a diameter of 51 mm.
- Movement and Repeating Function
- The watch contains a 38 mm frosted gilt, full-plate movement characterized by turned pillars. It employs a traditional fusee and chain power delivery system alongside a verge escapement. The timing assembly consists of a brass three-arm balance regulated by a blued steel flat spring. The assembly is topped with a pierced and chased continental balance cock. The quarter repeating mechanism is designed to strike the hours and quarters using two hammers on an internal bell. This function is activated by the user depressing the pendant. Both the movement and the dial are signed by the maker.
Identification
- Serial number
- 540
- 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: The exact origin of the maker is noted as 'Lepaute à Paris, Swiss' in the source, implying an association between the Paris name and Swiss manufacture.
- Research required: The current working condition of the repeating mechanism is not explicitly confirmed, as the source recommends an overhaul.