Swiss 18 Carat gold minute repeating cylinder watch Circa 1825

Early gold minute repeater by Leroy & Fils
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A fine, very rare Swiss 18 Carat gold open faced early minute repeating cylinder pocket watch with three hammers striking on square section gongs, circa 1825. Gilt brass movement, standing barrel, jewelled 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 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.