249
Leroy
An extremely rare and very large yellow gold wristwatch with engine-turned gold dial and hinged case
- Estimate
- CHF30,000 - 50,000
CHF45,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Leroy
- Year
- 1940
- Movement No
- 28'474
- Case No
- 18'925
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, gilt, 18 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Gold plated buckle
- Dimensions
- 37mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Dial, movement and case signed Case back further engraved L. Leroy & Cie, 4 Faubourg St Honoré, Paris
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
From their early beginnings in the mid 18th century, the name Le Roy has been synonymous with exceptional quality. The great watch maker Ferdinand Berthoud was quoted as saying,
“they are the most illustrious of all the watchmakers who have honoured or enriched France... ”
Much later, in 1940, the ever successful Leroy Company left their old premises and moved the company to 4 Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré, the same address that is engraved on the cuvette of this watch. It was an exceptional location opposite to the Elysée Palace, residence of the President of the Republic. This remained the company’s address until the 1980s.
Transitional is an over-used word in today's market, but this stunning example of a wristwatch really does cross over two time periods of horology, from the production style of pocket watches in the 1930s to the classic wristwatch. It has a very individual essence. The case with hinged back and cuvette has a smart and robust feel to it, the thickness of the lugs have balance, and the gold dial with bold black Roman numerals creates a very strong presence on the wrist of today's discerning collector.
“they are the most illustrious of all the watchmakers who have honoured or enriched France... ”
Much later, in 1940, the ever successful Leroy Company left their old premises and moved the company to 4 Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré, the same address that is engraved on the cuvette of this watch. It was an exceptional location opposite to the Elysée Palace, residence of the President of the Republic. This remained the company’s address until the 1980s.
Transitional is an over-used word in today's market, but this stunning example of a wristwatch really does cross over two time periods of horology, from the production style of pocket watches in the 1930s to the classic wristwatch. It has a very individual essence. The case with hinged back and cuvette has a smart and robust feel to it, the thickness of the lugs have balance, and the gold dial with bold black Roman numerals creates a very strong presence on the wrist of today's discerning collector.