A very rare ‘Regulateur’ portal watch by Louis Perrelet, Hégère du Roi, circa 1823
Key facts
- Production time
- around 1823
- Country of manufacture
- France
Description
It is made from oak veneered with Cuban mahogany; the capitals, plinth and cornice moulding are made from fire-gilded bronze (the lower moulding on the left has minor damage to the gilding). The case is in good condition apart from a few minor stress cracks in the plinth. The case was completely dismantled, all individual parts carefully cleaned and then reassembled. The movement, featuring a heavy compensation pendulum as well as half-hour and hour striking mechanisms, has been completely overhauled and readjusted by a master watchmaker (all parts derusted, pivots polished, worn bearings replaced, the anchor reground and polished, the escapement readjusted, springs checked for cracks and replaced where necessary, expertly oiled with special lubricants); it runs for approximately 14 days and is in good condition. It is marked ‘AP’ (Abraham Perrelet?) on the dial-side plate. The enamelled dial with Roman numerals is marked: Perrelet Hger Mcien du Roi It is slightly chipped around the winding mechanisms. The fire-gilded Rost pendulum (regulating nut in the pendulum lens, can be adjusted with a small pin) is in good condition. Louis Frédéric Perrelet was born on 14 May 1781 in Le Locle (grandson of Abraham Louis Perrelet, inventor of the rotor winding mechanism for pocket watches). He produced numerous complicated watches, is regarded as the inventor of the double chronograph and was court watchmaker to three French kings. He died in 1854. Dimensions: Height: 53 cm Width: 27 cm Depth: 15 cm Height including glass dome: 68 cm The pendulum, key and a bell are included in the offer. Preferably for collection in person (the glass dome is made of such thin glass that it would not survive transport). Personal delivery is possible throughout Germany by prior arrangement.