French 18 carat gold watch with special winding Circa 1876

Interesting à goutte pocket chronometer
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A highly interesting pocket chronometer with Louis Audemars winding mechanism, made by Leroy & Fils in Paris, France, circa 1876. The à goutte case of this watch which was crafted from 18 carat gold has an engine turned back lid. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and gold hands. The numbered movement has an excellent anker chronometer escapement with gold wheels, a helical hairspring, winding by chain and fusee, a chronometer balance with gold screws and platinum screws.
The case and cuvette are numbered and the cuvette, dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 51,5 mm
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Weight: 135 g
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Signed: Leroy & Fils, Palais Royal 114 & 115
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The watch presented here has a rare early Louis Audemars winding mechanism by crown, additionally the side slide has to be used “REMONTOIR PAR LE PENDANT, SE DÉGAGEANT DE LUI-MÊME, SYSTÈME LOUIS AUDEMARS” (winding by the self releasing crown, Louis Audemars system), otherwise the crown is without function. Louis Audemars was granted a patent from 1862. The quality of the movement as well as the 11,000 movement number clearly speak for Louis Audemars as the movement supplier. According to this, the watch was made between 1875 and 1877! These chronometers are extremely rare. Only two other examples are known. Number 10739 auctioned in Geneva 2018, estimated price CHF 10.000-12.000 and its sister watch 10740.