Pocket watch · Verge escapement pocket watch

Le Roy, Paris, No. 1804 Gilt Brass and Tortoiseshell Open-Face Watch

Partially verified

Catalogued as signed by Le Roy, Paris with number 1804, this open-face key-wound pocket watch is described as having a gilt brass verge escapement movement. The polychrome enamel dial features an eccentric white hour chapter with Arabic numerals, an aperture for the winding arbour situated between 1 and 2 o'clock, and a painted river scene with riverside architecture, trees, and a boat, all bordered by a pink pattern. The source describes the case as slim brass with a gilt floral border and a tortoiseshell back centered by an engraved gilt panel.

Dial view of the Le Roy open-face pocket watch with attached key, showing the painted landscape enamel dial — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.sothebys.com
Category: Pocket watch · Verge escapement pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Le Roy
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 73
Source-reported date: Circa 1870
Country: France
Source-reported serial: 1804

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

Dial Composition and Visual Ornamentation

The timepiece features an enamel dial catalogued with Arabic numerals and a painted river scene, with an off-center white circular chapter ring indicated by pierced gilt hands. The scene portrays a body of water with a boat, bankside trees, and architectural structures, framed within a pink patterned border.

A winding aperture is situated on the dial surface between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions. The watch is housed in an open-face format, with visual observation showing a gilt bezel adorned with floral detailing and a separate winding key attached to the bow by linking rings.

Evidence for this section

“enamel dial with arabic numerals and painted river scene”
“winding arbour between 1 and 2 o'clock.”
“slim brass open face case with surround decorated with flowers in gilt”

Reported Movement and Case Construction

According to the auction catalog, the watch contains a movement signed 'Le Roy, Paris No. 1804' featuring a 'verge escapement in gilt brass'. As no interior movement images are provided in the source record, specific caliber dimensions, pillar designs, and balance configurations are not recorded.

The case is catalogued as a 'slim brass open face case with surround decorated with flowers in gilt, tortoise shell case back with engraved gilt panel with stone set to center.' The presence of tortoiseshell is accompanied by a 'Restricted Species Lot' designation in the auction entry, though the case back and stone setting are not depicted in the available frontal photograph.

Evidence for this section

“Movement: signed Le Roy, Paris No. 1804, verge escapement in gilt brass”
“tortoise shell case back with engraved gilt panel with stone set to center.”
“Restricted Species Lot”

Catalogued Dating and Verification Limitations

The auction house catalogues the watch as 'Circa 1870' and describes it as 'A slim gilt and tortoiseshell key wound watch with enamel dial scene and verge escapement'.

The provided documentation is limited to a single dial-side photograph and brief lot notes. Independent verification of the tortoiseshell case back, the stone-set central panel, the internal signature, and the mechanical assembly is not possible from the recorded source materials alone.

Evidence for this section

“Circa 1870”
“A slim gilt and tortoiseshell key wound watch with enamel dial scene and verge escapement”
“Movement: signed Le Roy, Paris No. 1804, verge escapement in gilt brass”

Open research questions

Which specific Paris horologist or workshop does the movement signature 'Le Roy, Paris No. 1804' represent?
What specific mineral or gemological species constitutes the stone set into the engraved gilt panel of the tortoiseshell back?
What internal movement features (such as balance bridge style, potence, or pillar form) survive to assist in corroborating or refining the catalogued 'Circa 1870' date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Le Roy, Paris, No. 1804 Gilt Brass and Tortoiseshell Open-Face Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Movement Inscription	Le Roy, Paris No. 1804	“signed Le Roy, Paris No. 1804”
Escapement	Verge escapement in gilt brass	“verge escapement in gilt brass”
Winding Arbour	Between 1 and 2 o'clock	“winding arbour between 1 and 2 o'clock.”
Dial	Enamel dial with arabic numerals and painted river scene	“enamel dial with arabic numerals and painted river scene”
Case Reverse Decoration	Tortoiseshell case back with engraved gilt panel and stone set to center	“tortoise shell case back with engraved gilt panel with stone set to center.”
Regulatory Classification	Restricted Species Lot	“Restricted Species Lot”
Movement Inscription	signed Le Roy, Paris No. 1804	“signed Le Roy, Paris No. 1804”

Visible details

Pierced gilt hands positioned over an off-center white circular chapter ring with Arabic numerals.
Winding aperture located between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions on the dial.
Polychrome enamel river landscape with a boat, distant trees, and buildings.
Pink textured pattern border surrounding the central oval landscape vignette.
Gilt brass outer bezel decorated with floral patterning.
Attached winding key suspended by rings from the pendant bow.

Research qualifications

The tortoiseshell case back and the interior movement are described by the auction house but are not visible in the provided image.
The catalogued date of circa 1870 is notably late for a verge escapement watch with dial-side winding, though retained as reported by the source.

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

Consulted source

Le Roy, gilt brass watch with enamel dial | Fine Watches | 2022 |

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6841bbf030

Terms in this record

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