French 18k gold minute repeating cylinder watch Circa 1825

Gold open faced minute repeater by Leroy & Fils
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A fine and very rare, early French 18 carat gold open faced minute repeating ruby cylinder pocket watch, circa 1825. Swiss gilt brass movement, standing barrel, jeweled to the third wheel, ruby cylinder escapement, three armed brass balance with parachute on the upper pivot, blued steel flat balance spring, blued steel index regulator with bimetallic temperature compensation curb, polished steel repeating work on the dial plate, repeating with three hammers on two square section polished steel gongs activated by a pull-and-twist piston in the pendant. Gold hinged cuvette. Silver engine turned dial with Roman numerals on a polished chapter ring, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds and original blued steel spade hands. Case with reeded band, cast and chased foliate scroll bezels, pendant and bow. Cuvette signed.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Signed: Leroy & Fils Hgers du Roi à Paris
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Minute repeating watches from this period are very rare and very few makers were capable of producing them. Almost all were made in Switzerland. This watch uses the English type ruby cylinder escapement that is very occasionally found in Breguet’s watches. It also utilizes Breguet’s parachute shock protection device and temperature compensation curb.