French gold quarter repeating keyless pocket watch Circa 1880

Gold open faced lever
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A fine and rare French, 18 carat gold quarter repeating keyless pocket watch, circa 1880. A polished case, engine turned back cover with engraved monogram HJC, flat band and a hinged gold cuvette. White enamel dial with black radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals, subsidiary seconds and gold spade hands. Matte gilt movement, 27 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band. Cuvette signed.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Signed: Le Roy & Fils  Paris
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Le Roy & Fils, In 1785, the company was first established in Paris, France by Basile Charles Le Roy (1765-1839) at the Palais Royal, 13 & 15 Galerie Montpensier, which remained the family’s address for more than a century. Le Roy was much valued by the royal family and the court and was always welcome at the Louvre. He was famous for his perfect and marvellous clocks and wall clocks, which were very popular in a great number of palaces and stately homes all over Europe. During the French Revolution from September 1793 to July 1794, Le Roy used the anagram Eylor, because his real name was too closely associated with the French aristocracy. This signature is still present on the dials and plates of clocks created in that period.
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Le Roy’s son Charles-Louis learned the art of watchmaking from his father and in 1828 became his partner. The company name changed to Le Roy & Fils, Horloger des Ducs de Chartres et de Bourbon puis Horloger du Roi et du Duc d’Orléans (clockmaker to the king and the Duke of Orléans). From 1835 on, the company expanded in all directions and was appointed Horlogers de la Marine. it was extremely successful for many years and at times had a staff of 50 employees. In 1854, Le Roy & Fils set themselves up in London, to conquer the English court. A branch was opened in Regent Street, to be followed by another in New Bond Street. In 1863, Queen Victoria issued the ‘Royal Warrant of Appointment’ to Leroy & Sons, which entitled the company to use the highly coveted title ‘watchmakers to the Queen’. It was a great honour for a French company because Le Roy is the only non-English house to carry that title.