106th Auction

2022/5/21

Lot 409

Inv.t. J(acques) Laresche
Galerie de Valois Palais Royal No. 164

A collection of an alarm apparatus for pocket watches and two pocket watch movements
An early French alarm apparatus for pocket watches with original wooden box

Sold

estimated
2.0003.000 €
Price realized
2.000 €
specific features
Case
Brass plates, rear bell, 1 hammer.
Dial
Bronze and silver, central brass gear-wheel with fixed release lever.
Movement
Keywind.
Diam.104 x 60 x 55 mm
Circa1820
Ctry.France


J(acques) Laresche worked as a watchmaker in Paris around 1800. He had a workshop in the Rue de Valois, Au Palais-Royal no. 13 and moved to no. 164 later. In 1804 Laresche restored the first pocket chronometer which Pierre Le Roy had created for the collection of Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, the Duke of Penthièvre. Laresche invented an alarm mechanism which he obtained a patent for in 1820. He also dedicated himself to improving the quality of watch oils; in 1827 he published a paper on the use of olive oils on watches and was awarded a gold medal for it. Amongst other things Laresche designed a new mechanism for equation clocks with pendulum; he did not only sell his own pieces but was also supplied by Jacques-Frédéric Houriet.
Source: http://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Laresche,_Henri, as of 02/29/2013