French deck chronometer with 49h power reserve Circa 1900

Marine chronometer by Louis Leroy
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A high quality French 49-hour power reserve marine chronometer, circa 1900. Very fine chronometer movement, spring detent chronometer escapement. Silvered dial Roman hours and outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds, 49- hour power reserve indication, gold hands. Three part mahogany box with lateral carrying handles and ivory plaque inscribed No. 1037 L. Leroy & Cie, gimbal suspension, brass case. Dial, movement and box signed and numbered.
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Dimensions: 18 × 18 × 18 cm
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Signed: L. Leroy & Cie Paris
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Louis Leroy was born in 1859 as the eldest son of a family with 14 children and was already introduced to the production of precision watches in his youth. His father Theodore-Marie Leroy was known as a chronometer maker who delivered watches to the Navy and was a member of the Legion of Honour. He employed Louis in his workshops and he quickly became the best of his apprentices. 16 years old he already presented a watch at a competition of the Paris Chamber of watchmakers which attracted a lot of attention. At 20 years he became an approved watchmaker. After the World Exhibition in London, Louis went to England to work for a manufacturer in Clerkenwell for a year. He was soon known for his talent and ambition as well as his pioneering spirit. Casimir Halley Desfontaines discovered the young man’s abilities and gave him a job at Le Roy & Sons. Leroy soon worked in the company’s workshops in Paris. In 1888 Louis Leroy became a partner in the company and took it over just a year later. He changed the name to ‘Leroy & Cie, Ancienne Maison Le Roy & Fils’, but from 1895 onwards he only operated under the name Leroy & Cie.