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Fine French multi-color 18K gold and painted enamel verge and fusee bell quarter repeater
antique pocket watch with a scene of the adoration of the magi by Julien LeRoy, Paris,
circa 1750.
The case back with a lovely painting (restored in hard enamel, minor imperfections) within a curving border of
various colors of gold. Bold white enamel dial (restoration by the winding hole) with
diamonds between the numbers and diamond set hands, the minute hand with a curve to
clear the winding square. The movement with large pierced and engraved cock. Dumb repeat
selector lever at VI and pulse piece in the case.
When the pendant is depressed this watch chimes the hours with lovely tones on a bell
in the back of the case. When the selector lever is moved the repeat becomes dumb
and the bell chimes are replaced by the taps of a dumb repeater. When the pulse button
is pushed in there are no chimes or taps and the owner feel the watch strike with his finger tip.
"Julien Le Roy(1686-1759) was a major 18th-century Parisian clockmaker and watchmaker.
"
He was born in Tours in 1686 and by the age of 13 he made his first clock. In
1699, he moved to Paris for further training. He became maitre horloger in 1713 and later
jure of his guild. Further appointments followed, including the Directorship of the Societe
des Arts, but the pinnacle of his achievement was being appointed clockmaker (Horloger
Ordinaire du Roi) to King Louis XV in 1739. He carried on his business from premises in
the Rue du Harlay until his death in 1759.
