French gold and enamel half hunting cased pocket watch Circa 1870

Gold repeater with center seconds
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A French, 18 carat gold and translucent enamel half-hunting cased keyless pocket watch, made by Leroy, Paris, circa 1870. Minute repeater with independent dead center seconds. The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals, outer minute track and blued steel hands. Its smooth case is accented by a front cover set with enamel Roman numerals. Blue translucent enamel decoration on the case back. A frosted gilt movement, two train with tandem winding, 40 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature and mean time adjustment screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide in the band. Dial, case and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: Leroy  Paris
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The London branch of the Paris firm of Le Roy & Fils (which derived from the business established by Basile Charles Le Roy, c. 1785) was set up at the latest by 1854 in 296 Regent Street. By 1866, they had also acquired 211 Regent Street, and by 1875, occupied both 211 & 213. By 1885, they had moved to 57 Bond Street, where they remained until 1952.