French 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold open faced keyless lever watch
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A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch made by L Leroy et Cie in Paris, circa 1900. This watch has a mechanical, manually wound movement featuring a lever escapement. The white enamel dial shows black Roman numerals for the hours, inner red 13 to 24 Arabic hour markers, an outer railway minute track with Arabic numerals from 5 to 60, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and gold spade hands, signed L Leroy et Cie. The timepiece is housed in an 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case featuring an engraved monogrammed case back with intertwined initials, a matching 18 carat gold cuvette signed L Leroy & Cie Horlogers de la Marine 7 Bd de la Madeleine Paris No 3874, a fluted winding crown, and comes complete with its dedicated protective leather presentation case.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 85 g
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Signed: L. Leroy et Cie.
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This pocket watch comes from the private collection of the de Gaulle family, part of a significant release of personal heirlooms and historical artefacts from the estate of Admiral Philippe de Gaulle. Given the historical prestige surrounding General Charles de Gaulle, personal relics connected to his legacy remain in high demand among collectors and historians, driving strong interest and high auction results.
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The de Gaulle family has opened access to original historical documents and personal belongings—items known to history but kept in a safe for nearly forty years. From the estate of Admiral Philippe de Gaulle (1921–2024), this collection showcases the legacy of his father, General Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970).
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Among the key highlights offered alongside such personal timepieces is an important set of drafts for the General’s first book, La Discorde chez l’ennemi (published in 1924 to analyze Germany’s defeat in 1914–1918, estimated at €50,000–60,000), accompanied by numerous manuscripts and personal notes. The collection also features a rare Cartier London slipcase binder containing a directory of his companions, presented and dedicated to de Gaulle in 1945 as founder of the Ordre de la Libération (€8,000–12,000), as well as a historical savonnette gousset watch presented to him by the Bey of Tunis in 1944 (€4,000–8,000).