Brand L. Leroy & Cie, Paris, “Horloger de la Marine” (Watchmaker for the Navy), Palais-Royal (13-15 Galerie Montpensier)
Model pocket chronometer with quarter-repeater
Retailed by delivered to Charles Grottendieck, Brussels
Year 1894
Movement No. 1 606 / No. 1 678
Calibre 22’’’, manual-winding, probably 33 jewels
Case No. 1 678 / No. 58 588
Material/s yellow gold (18-carat)
Dimensions Ø 59 mm.
Thickness 17.3 mm.
Weight 184.2 gr. (approx.)
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories copy of the sales book of L. Leroy & Cie, copy of the Bulletin de marche from the Besançon observatory L. Leroy & Cie
Historical and impressive non-magnetic pocket chronometer, quarter-repeater, special balance-wheel and cylindrical hairspring, enamel dial; yellow gold (18-carat) A timekeeper who obtained a Bulletin de marche with Mention from the Besançon Astronomical Observatory at the end of the contests which began on November 13, 1893 The watch of Jules Le Jeune (1828-1911), Minister of Justice (1887-1894), Senator (1894-1900) and Minister of State (1894) of the Kingdom of Belgium Yellow gold (18-carat), open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, large, heavy and impressive pocket chronometer, with subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and one horological complication:
• Quarter-repeater by two hammers on two steel gongs (activated by the slide located on the case-band at 3:30) Time-setting by push-pin (à poussette) located on the case-band at 11:30. Case: by the Société Générale des monteurs de boîtes d’or, Besançon, four-piece, “Empire”-style, polished; gold cuvette (dome) engraved in taille-douce (fine cut) with the manufacturer's name and serial number, and the mention “Jules Le Jeune / MINISTRE D’ÉTAT / 1911 †“; oval-shaped clipped bow. Dial: white colour enamel (two-piece), with black painted radiating Roman numerals; external minute track divided five by five with black painted radiating lines; yellow gold “Poire Stuart” pear-shaped hands. Movement: calibre 22’’’ (ebauche No. 56·2 / 1606 / 4), probably 33 jewels, gilded brass, going barrel with fine winding with free double ratchet (“Extra” quality), straight-line equilibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated crank balance with gold and platinum poising screws, Palladium cylindrical hairspring with terminal curves, polished steel index-regulator; repeater work on the main plate, under the dial.
