Turkish Market Gold and Enamel Watch with Two Dials

Turkish Market Gold and Enamel Watch with Two Dials.

Signed Leroy & Fils - Hgers du Roi - Paris.
Circa 1820.
Diameter 45 millimetres.

An early 19^th Century French cylinder in a fine gold and enamel open face case with choice of alternative dial.  Keywind gilt Lepine calibre movement with suspended going barrel.  Plain cock with blue steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring.  

Unusual construction with the steel escape wheel situated under the dial, polished steel cylinder.  The watch is presented with two silver dials, both with engine turned centres.  The dial fitted to the watch has Turkish numerals only.  The alternative dial has Roman numerals and minute markings.  Blue steel Breguet hands.  

Attractive and substantial 18 carat open face case of scalloped form.   The back formed by twelve sections enamelled with alternating light  blue or pink grounds.  The panels with pink grounds with polychrome enamel floral decoration while the light blue panels depict musical instruments etc.  

The scalloped form and decoration repeated on the front bezel.  Gold and enamel bow and pendant with a button to open the sprung back cover.  Wound and set through the signed gold cuvette.  In a fitted red morocco gilt decorated presentation  case lined with navy velvet to house both the watch and spare dial.

A well made and attractive watch in excellent overall condition.  Watches supplied with alternative dial are very uncommon.  It is doubtful that the wearer would be expected to change the dial but would have employed a watchmaker.  

The Leroys were a famous family of watchmakers who worked in Paris from the early 18th Century.  The signature Leroy & Fils was most commonly used from 1817 - 24.

Price

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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