French Lépine with stone cylinder escapement Circa 1820

Pocket watch with rare regulation through the dial
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Extremely rare Lépine in Breguet design with stone cylinder, regulator dial and regulation through the dial, made in France, circa 1820. With its glass and silver case adorned with intricate engine turned decoration on the back, this Lépine watch stands as a testament to the artistry and skill of its maker. The watch features a silver dial that has been engine-turned, resulting in a captivating pattern that enhances its aesthetic appeal. The dial exhibits two scales of the same size, one for minutes and the other for seconds, an outer ring with Roman numerals and a central single  Breguet hand to indicate the hours.
Regulation is achieved through the dial itself, a feature that showcases the innovative thinking behind this timepiece. This unique mechanism allows for easy adjustment of the watch’s accuracy, ensuring that it remains a reliable companion for its owner. The movement of this Lépine has an open face calibre with a stone cylinder escapement, known for its durability and accuracy, ensuring precise timekeeping, while the open face design allows for easy observation of the intricate mechanism at work.

Movement bezel signed.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 111 g
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Signed: ASM Breguet
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Although this watch is signed “Breguet”, it is unlikely to have come from Breguet’s workshops. Nevertheless, it is an extremely rare and technically highly interesting pocket watch from Breguet’s time and with features that can also be found in Breguet’s watches. A very similar work is illustrated in George Daniel’s “The Art of Breguet”, page 149.