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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pair cased center seconds watch

Julien Le Roy Pair Cased Center Seconds Watch

Partially verified

This extra large center seconds watch by Julien Le Roy, numbered 22615, dates to approximately 1780 and is identified as being made for the Turkish market. It is a pair cased horological object measuring 95 mm in diameter. The outer case is a double body construction finished with tortoise-shell, while the inner double body case features an engine-turned basket work pattern. The dial is white enamel and displays Turkish numerals with an inner seconds ring, complemented by gilt brass hands. The movement is a gilt brass full plate construction, containing pierced Egyptian pillars and a fusee with chain mechanism. It utilizes a verge escapement with a plain brass three-arm balance and a flat balance spring. The movement includes a gilt brass continental cock fitted with a diamond endstone. The movement is signed on the back plate.

View of the Julien Le Roy pair cased watch showing the enamel dial with Turkish numerals, gilt hands, and tortoise-shell outer case.
View of the Julien Le Roy pair cased watch showing the enamel dial with Turkish numerals, gilt hands, and tortoise-shell outer case. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Pair cased center seconds watch
Maker / attribution
Julien Le Roy
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
15
Source-reported date
circa 1780
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
22615

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

The watch is housed in an extra large pair case arrangement, measuring 95 mm in diameter. The outer case is a double body construction that is covered with a layer of tortoise-shell. This external covering provides a distinct surface texture to the primary housing of the watch.

The inner case is also a double body design, constructed from gilt brass. The surface of this inner case features an engine-turned pattern described as basket work. This geometric engraving decorates the gilt metal surface, contrasting with the smooth enamel dial visible when the case is opened.

Evidence for this section
  • “Outer, double body, covered with tortoise-shell.”
  • “Inner double body, engine turned in a basket work pattern.”
  • “Diam. 95 mm.”

Dial and Hands

The watch face consists of a white enamel dial designed for the Turkish market, featuring Turkish numerals rather than Western Arabic or Roman indices. This design includes a secondary inner ring dedicated to the reading of seconds.

The time is indicated by gilt brass hands, which move over the enamel surface. The inclusion of a central seconds hand necessitates the center seconds mechanism housed within the movement, as indicated by the watch’s classification and dial layout.

Evidence for this section
  • “D. White enamel with Turkish numerals and inner seconds ring. Gilt brass hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a gilt brass full plate construction. It features pierced Egyptian pillars, which support the upper and lower plates. Energy is transmitted through a fusee with chain, which regulates the power delivered to the gear train.

The escapement is a verge type, paired with a plain brass three-arm balance and a flat balance spring. The balance is protected by a gilt brass continental cock, which includes a diamond endstone. The signature of Julien Le Roy is inscribed on the back plate of the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “t brass full plate with pierced Egyptian pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass three arm balance, flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with diamond endstone. Signed on the back plate.”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival records link serial number 22615 to the Turkish market?
  • Are the hands original to this 18th-century movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Julien Le Roy Pair Cased Center Seconds Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJulien Le Roy“Julien Le Roy à Paris”
Serial Number22615“No. 22615”
Diameter95 mm“Diam. 95 mm”
Dial materialWhite enamel“White enamel with Turkish numerals”
EscapementVerge“verge escapement”
Balance cockGilt brass continental“gilt brass continental cock with diamond endstone”
MarketTurkish“made for the Turkish market”

Visible details

  • Case features extensive tortoise-shell covering on the exterior
  • Dial uses Turkish numerals exclusively
  • Center seconds hand present on dial
  • Internal movement features a bridge style balance cock

Research qualifications

  • The exact extent of restoration to the tortoise-shell is not specified
  • The specific historical evidence supporting the Turkish market attribution is not detailed

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

Consulted source

Julien Le Roy à Paris, No. 22615, made for the Turkish market, circa 1780. Unusual extra large gilt brass pair cased center seconds watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record af628b1541

Terms in this record

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