Fine French 18K gold open faced lever chronograph Circa 1865

Gold chronograph by Le Roy & Fils
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A fine French 18 carat gold open faced chronograph lever pocket watch, circa 1865. Bridge movement, a club-tooth lever escapement and gold screw compensation balance. White enamel dial with black Roman hours, outer minute divisions, an outermost fifths of a second track with red Arabic five-minute numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and spade & whip hands. An engine-turned case with the monogram BY on the back. Cuvette signed and numbered, case and movement numbered.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Weight: 117 g
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Signed: Le Roy & Fils Hgers de la Marine Palais Royal 13-15 Galie Montpensier Paris 211 Regent Street London
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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.

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.