Steel & multi coloured gold cased Paris verge

Stock No. 1535

Julien LeRoy
Paris, c1760
Gold & steel case, 51mm
Verge escapement

Sold

A mid 18th century Patis verge in a very rare multi coloured gold and steel case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance bridge. Four square baluster pillars, and large silver regulator disk. Blued screws and blued steel coquerette.

Running well, and in excellent condition throughout.

Signed “Jn. Le Roy a Paris”.

DIAL : White enamel dial.

In good condition with no repairs but a a few light scratchers, a hairline from the centre to 12, and a little damage around the winding aperture.

Good fancy gilt hands.

CASE : A wonderful, heavy steel case, overlain with gold in several colours, which contrast beautifully with the dark grey steel.

The inside of the case has a polished steel finish, while the outside steel has a dark gun metal colour with gold rims and bow. The bezel and back are overlain with multi coloured gold, the back showing a classical scene with three figures under a tree.

All in very good condition. The catch and catch button are all fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. A little wear to the hinge. There is some wear to the gold figures on the back and just one very short (3mm.) piece of gold missing to the piece surrounding the catch button.  Some tarnishing to the polished steel on the inside of the case.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good, with just some light scratches.

Steel cases, overlaid with various colours of gold are quite rare, and were produced for a short period during the mid 18th century.