French gold quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1800

Quarter repeater with Lepine calibre
–
A French quarter repeating pocket watch with Lepine calibre, circa 1800.
The watch features large gongs with heavy bumper blocks, which are usually not commonly used in watches.
This watch consists of an 18 Carat rose gold, engine turned case with an enamel dial. It has a bridge movement according to Lepine, a key wind, a cylinder escapement, two hammers, two gongs, a going barrel and a monometallic balance.
–
Diameter: 58 mm
–
Weight: 144 g
–
Signed: Hilaire Bassereau
–
Jean-Hilaire Bassereau (1743-1810)
He was Horloger de l’Empereur et Roy, a fine Parisian maker, student of Lepine. He died in 1810.
Bassereau was an extremely versatile maker, who created many luxurious pieces such as carillon watches or singing bird watches; on the other hand, he also produced watches that were well made but quite simple in design. One of his precision timekeepers for example is a chronometer with pivoted detent escapement held by the British Museum. For a time Bassereau’s business was located in the Rue Vivienne, where it was continued by his son. It later moved to the Rue Neuve des Petits Champs. Upon his death in 1810 Bassereau’s widow took over the business and it was registered under her name until 1840; then it was sold to Henri Dautreme. Dautreme continued trading at the Neuve des Petits Champs location until 1890.