Lot 90

Le Roy

A very attractive Parisian gold enamel pocket watch, produced for the Ottoman market

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Inspired by the shape of a petal, the back ist divided in nine gently raised segments, each framed by narrow borders of gold and white Champlevé enamel. The individual "petals" and the centre are ornamented with engine-turned pattern and translucent green enamel with exquisite floral painting "en grisaille". Edge, bezel, pendant and bow are decorated with opaque pink and white enamelling, the bezel is additionally embellished with nine translucent green arches, taking its inspiration from the petal design on the back.
Another watch with Le Roy's Ottoman signature was part of the famous Lord Sandberg Collection and is described and illustration in Terence Camerer-Cuss' "The Sandberg Watch Collection".
The sultans of the Ottoman Empire discovered their passion for lavishly ornamented watches as early as in the 16th century but it was in the 18th century that the wealthy classes developed a real interest in European timepieces and their makers. Consequently the Swiss, French and English makers set out to conquer the Ottoman market and opened branches in Constantinople. With regard to local taste, the watches were fitted with Ottoman dials and elaborately decorated cases. The correspondence between the European makers and their retailers contains extensive lists of timepieces that were delivered to the Ottoman Empire. Some of these renowned manufacturers were Blondel & Melly, George Prior, Edward Prior, Markwick Markham and Breguet.
Le Roy or Leroy, whose signature is on the dial of this watch, was a famous maker from Paris, who went to Constantinople around 1810 to represent Abraham-Louis Breguet on the Ottoman market. He also imported watches from Swiss makers which were sold to the leading dignitaries of the time.