French gold quarter repeating à toc pocket watch Circa 1788

Gold, enamel and pearl-set watch
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A very fine and very rare French 18K gold, enamel and pearl-set open faced quarter repeating á toc cylinder pocket watch, circa 1788. The Butterfly by Lépine. Lépine type case by master case maker Guillaume Mermillod, the back painted on enamel with a butterfly over a basket of flowers, gold paillon frame, pearl-set bezels, opening by twisting the pendant, fixed front bezel. Gilt-brass hinged cuvette signed Lépine hger du Roy A Paris.

White enamel dial, alternating Roman and Arabic hours, outer minute track with red Arabic quarter hours and blued steel Breguet hands. Gilt-brass movement, early Lépine calibre with a free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, Lépine repetition system with LeRoy‘s anchor governor, repeating by two polished hammers on the movement adapter ring by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial and the cuvette.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: Lépine Inv. & Fecit
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This watch is a good early example of Lépine’s work in his classical period between 1772-1792 with his special dial, his repetition system and unusual enamel decoration.