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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Centre seconds pocket watch

Julien Le Roy Centre Seconds Rack-Lever Watch

Partially verified

This centre seconds pocket watch, attributed to Julien Le Roy à Paris, dates to circa 1800 and is of Swiss origin. The 58 mm diameter timepiece is housed in a contemporary gilt brass case featuring a polished finish and a reeded band. Its dial is white enamel and eccentric, displaying Arabic numerals for the hours and an outer Arabic seconds track. The hinged, full-plate movement is constructed of gilt brass and utilizes a fusee with chain drive. Its primary technical feature is an early form of continental rack-lever escapement incorporating a pirouette, with the spiral spring mounted directly onto the pirouette wheel. This specific mechanical arrangement allows the escapement to beat seconds. The watch is documented in horological literature, including appearances in A.F.A.H.A. bulletin No. 13 and the Uhren Journal für Sammler Klassischer Zeitmesser.

The movement of the Julien Le Roy pocket watch, showing the rack-lever escapement and pirouette.
The movement of the Julien Le Roy pocket watch, showing the rack-lever escapement and pirouette. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Centre seconds pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Julien Le Roy à Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
18
Source-reported date
circa 1800
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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 and Dial

The watch is presented in a contemporary gilt brass case measuring 58 mm in diameter. The exterior finish is polished, complemented by a reeded band.

The dial is composed of white enamel and follows an eccentric layout. It features Arabic numerals to indicate the hours and includes an outer Arabic seconds ring, facilitating the display of the seconds through the centre seconds mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Contemporary, gilt brass, polished with reeded band.”
  • “D. Eccentric white enamel with Arabic numerals, outer Arabic seconds ring.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a hinged full-plate design rendered in gilt brass. It operates via a fusee and chain mechanism. The signature of the maker is engraved on the back plate of the movement.

The watch features a rare early continental form of the rack-lever escapement. This assembly includes a pirouette, with the spiral spring mounted directly to the pirouette wheel. This specific technical configuration is intended to enable the escapement to beat the seconds.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Hinged gilt brass full plate, fusee with chain, rare early continental form of rack lever escapement with pirouette”
  • “the spiral spring mounted on the pirouette wheel.”
  • “This arrangement enables the escapement to beat the seconds.”

Literature and Documentation

This horological object has been the subject of documented study in professional literature. It was described and illustrated by Y. Droz and J. Flores in the A.F.A.H.A. bulletin No. 13, published in the Spring of 1983.

Additionally, the watch is recorded in the publication Uhren Journal für Sammler Klassischer Zeitmesser, specifically in issue 2/94 on page 37, where it is also described and illustrated.

Evidence for this section
  • “This watch is described and illustrated by Y. Droz and J. Flores in the A.F.A.H.A. bulletin No. 13, Spring 1983.”
  • “It is also described and illustrated in Uhren Journal für Sammler Klassischer Zeitmesser 2/94, page 37.”

Open research questions

  • What is the relationship between the Parisian name on the movement and the Swiss origin of the construction?
  • Can the specific workshop responsible for this early rack-lever pirouette mechanism be identified beyond the attribution?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Julien Le Roy Centre Seconds Rack-Lever Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJulien Le Roy à Paris“Julien Le Roy à Paris”
Datecirca 1800“circa 1800”
Diameter58 mm“Diam. 58 mm”
Case materialGilt brass“gilt brass”
EscapementRack-lever with pirouette“early form of rack-lever escapement with pirouette”
LiteratureA.F.A.H.A. bulletin No. 13“described and illustrated by Y. Droz and J. Flores in the A.F.A.H.A. bulletin No. 13”
LiteratureUhren Journal für Sammler Klassischer Zeitmesser“It is also described and illustrated in Uhren Journal für Sammler Klassischer Zeitmesser 2/94”

Visible details

  • Gilt brass full-plate movement
  • Fusee and chain transmission
  • Pirouette wheel with mounted spiral spring

Research qualifications

  • The specific attribution to Julien Le Roy remains a subject of the auction description.
  • The exact functional condition of the escapement beyond the stated good condition is not verified.

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

Consulted source

Julien Le Roy à Paris, Swiss, circa 1800. Extremely rare centre seconds watch with an early form of rack-lever escapement with pirouette.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 15d9523018

Terms in this record

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