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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Tours

Oval pocket watch

Verified

Movement signed: “David le Roy à Tours”, with fusee and catgut cord. Originally fitted with a striking mechanism (missing the train and bell).

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH I-3
Object type
Pocket watch
Place of production
Tours
Dating
1580 - 1620
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Laiton, Acier, Argent
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions min/max: 71 x 80 mm
Inscriptions (catalogue)
David le Roy à Tours (Mouvement)

Historical significance

  • Movement signed: “David le Roy à Tours”, with fusee and catgut cord. Originally fitted with a striking mechanism (missing the train and bell).
  • The case has two solid brass covers. The case band is pierced and engraved.
  • The silver dial is finely engraved in the Bérain style, with foliate scrollwork inhabited by animals. The single hand has been replaced at the CRH.
  • The dials central medaillon, a landscape, is surrounded by Roman numeral indexes and follage interwoven with animals.

Photographs

Oval pocket watch (MIH I-3)
Oval pocket watch (MIH I-3) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Oval pocket watch (MIH I-3)
Oval pocket watch (MIH I-3) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Oval pocket watch (MIH I-3)
Oval pocket watch (MIH I-3) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. I-3: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/36104/

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.