French rose gold quarter repeating à toc watch Circa 1789

Rose gold quarter repeater à toc
–
An extremely rare French 18 carat rose gold open faced quarter repeating à toc gentleman’s pocket watch with a secret opening mechanism made by Jean-Antoine Lépine in Paris, circa 1789. Polished case with maker’s punch mark GM for Guillaume Mermillod, a pusher for repetition via the pendant and an opening mechanism through turning of the pendant. White enamel dial with black Arabic hours, outer minute divisions, outermost red Arabic five minute numerals and pierced gold Fleur-de-Lys hands. Gilded brass movement with Lépine caliber, one hammer, a wolf’s tooth going barrel, cylinder escapement, three arm ring balance and wolf’s tooth train for going and the striking mechanism.
–
Diameter: 54 mm
–
Weight: 116 g
–
Signed: Lépine à Paris Invenit et Fecit
–
Montre à toc
 A ‘dumb’ repeater watch in which a hammer strikes the inside of the case to produce a muffled sound. Invented by Julian Le Roy in 1740.