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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Jean-Antoine Lépine Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This pocket watch, held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number 89.2.69), is attributed to the French watchmaker Jean-Antoine Lépine. Documented to circa 1766, the timepiece originates from Paris. The physical construction features a gold case that is partially decorated with enamel and set with diamonds. The dial is also constructed from enamel. The watch has a recorded diameter of 1 5/8 inches (4.1 cm). It was donated to the museum by Joseph W. Drexel in 1889 and is part of the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department. The piece dates to the early years of Lépine's professional career in Paris, a period during which he began to develop various horological improvements.

Detailed view of the diamond-set gold and enamel case.
Detailed view of the diamond-set gold and enamel case. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jean Antoine Lépine
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
89.2.69
Source-reported date
ca. 1766
Source-reported place
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Decoration

The watch is housed in a gold case, which incorporates both enamel and diamond setting as primary decorative elements. The exterior of the case features a miniature enamel portrait at its center, surrounded by an arrangement of diamonds.

The overall design of the case incorporates enamel accents along the edges and surface, contributing to its aesthetic appearance. The watch includes a gold bow and a matching pendant, providing a unified structure consistent with the period of manufacture. The diameter of the piece measures 1 5/8 inches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: gold, partly enameled and set with diamonds”
  • “Diameter: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm).”

Maker and Historical Context

Jean-Antoine Lépine, a prominent figure in French horology, is identified as the maker. Lépine was based in Paris and worked during the 18th century, with his career spanning from 1720 to 1814. This specific watch was produced around 1766, placing it within the early portion of his career in the French capital.

His work is recognized by institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which manages this piece within its European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department. The item entered the museum collection through the gift of Joseph W. Drexel in 1889.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watchmaker: Jean Antoine Lépine (French, 1720–1814)”
  • “dated ca. 1766”
  • “Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889”

Institutional Documentation

The object is catalogued by The Metropolitan Museum of Art under the accession number 89.2.69. The museum's documentation confirms the materials and dimensions of the watch, providing the primary technical record for the item. The records specify the medium for both the dial and the case, ensuring consistent identification across the museum's digital assets.

While the record confirms the museum's internal documentation, further research is encouraged by the source to confirm the wider context and specific horological characteristics of this object. The existing records focus on the identity of the maker, the origin of the item in Paris, and the general construction details verified by the museum's curatorial records.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 89.2.69”
  • “The Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection Online”

Open research questions

  • What is the configuration and type of the movement housed within the 89.2.69 case?
  • How does this specific watch compare to other known early Lépine production pieces from the 1760s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jean-Antoine Lépine Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJean Antoine Lépine“Watchmaker: Jean Antoine Lépine (French, 1720–1814)”
Dateca. 1766“dated ca. 1766”
Location of manufactureParis, France“French, Paris”
Case materialsGold, enamel, diamonds“Case: gold, partly enameled and set with diamonds”
Dial materialEnamel“Dial: enamel”
Diameter1 5/8 inches (4.1 cm)“Diameter: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm).”
Accession Number89.2.69“The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 89.2.69”
ProvenanceGift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889“Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889”

Visible details

  • Case features a central portrait miniature
  • Case is decorated with enamel and diamond accents
  • Bow is attached to a cylindrical pendant
  • Enamel dial with hands

Research qualifications

  • The exact technical specifications of the movement are not documented in the source
  • The broader type categorization for this specific museum object remains to be verified by horological literature

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Watch by Jean Antoine Lépine, French, Paris, ca. 1766

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 4d7b2b52ee

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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